Mössbauer and SEM study of Fe–Al film

Fe–Al alloy with Fe/Al ratio of 3:1 was first prepared by argon arc melting. It was subsequently coated on glass slide and cellophane tape using an electron beam gun system to have a thickness of 2,000 Å. X-ray diffraction spectrum of the coated sample indicates a definite texture for the film with a preferential growth along the Fe(110) plane. SEM micrographs of the film showed the presence of nano islands of nearly 3 × 1012/m2 surface density. Composition of different parts of the film was determined using EDAX. Room temperature Fe-57 Mössbauer spectrum of coated sample showed the presence a quadrupole doublet with a splitting of 0.46 mm/s, which is typical of Al-rich iron compounds. MOKE study shows an in-plane magnetic moment.