Structural and magnetic properties of pulsed laser deposited Fe–SiC thin films

Structural and magnetic properties of Fe–SiC thin films have been studied. The Fe–SiC thin films were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition on Si (100) substrate and isochronally annealed at 1073K and 1273K in argon atmosphere for 2.5h. The crystalline ordering of SiC into β-SiC phase and growths of other phases like Fe3Si, SiO2 and FeSiO3 during annealing were investigated by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The morphology of thin films was changed from voided structure to dense pyramidal-like structure due to annealing. A continuous decrease in the saturation magnetization and non-monotonic change in coercivity of Fe–SiC thin films were observed with increase in annealing temperature. •Structural and magnetic properties of Fe–SiC thin films have been studied.•Crystalline ordering of SiC into β-SiC phase was obtained at T≥800°C.•Annealed Fe–SiC thin films show ferromagnetic hysteresis at room temperature.•Coercivity was found to be dependent on the annealing temperature.