High-quality RF-sputtered magneto-optic garnet films of Bi1.8Lu1.2Fe3.6Al1.4O12 with low coercivity for applications in integrated optics, imaging and sensing devices

Abstract

In this paper, we report on the fabrication of RF sputtered Bi-substituted lutetium iron garnet films doped with aluminum and featuring in-plane easy magnetization axis orientation as well as very attractive optical, magnetic and magneto-optical properties (MO figure of merit exceeding 15° at 635 nm, coercivity below 50 Oe and Faraday-effect magnetic field sensitivity up to 157 °/(cm·Oe) at 532 nm). These magnetically-soft thin-film engineered materials have a wide range of potential applications in next-generation integrated optics, magnetophotonics and magnetic field sensors.