Out of plane superferromagnetic behavior of quasi two-dimensional Fe/Al2O3 multilayer nanocomposites.

The magnetic properties of low filling factor Fe-nanoparticle monolayers separated by relatively thick Al₂O₃ layers were investigated in parallel and perpendicular external magnetic field. The thin film nanocomposites were prepared by sequential pulsed laser deposition on (100) Si substrates, and the monolayers contain single-domain, dispersive nanoparticles. When the magnetic field is oriented parallel to the layers, the composite exhibits superparamagnetism. However, in perpendicular field, the superferromagnetic order sets in, as revealed by the increase of the magnetic moment, the hysteresis persisting at high temperatures, and a smaller relaxation rate. The complex out of plane behavior of our nanocomposites in perpendicular field is attributed to quasi two-dimensionality and to the dispersion of the in-plane nanoparticle separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]