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We present an in-depth study of the magnetotransport properties of epitaxial Fe3O4 films as a function of film thickness. The films, grown on α-Al2O3(0001) single crystals by atomic-oxygen assisted molecular beam epitaxy, exhibit high structural order and abrupt interfaces. These films contain antiphase boundaries (APBs), the density of which is strongly dependent on film thickness. A series of resistivity and magnetoresistance measurements demonstrate a systematic evolution of these properties with decreasing film thickness, revealing the impact of APBs on the transport properties in the films. We present a model based on the spin-polarized transport across an antiferromagnetically coupled APB in order to successfully reproduce our experimental data over a large range of applied magnetic fields. The comparison of this model with experimental results further clarifies the mechanism of the anomalous magnetotransport behavior in Fe3O4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here on the magnetic coupling taking place between Fe3O4 and Co layers across an organic monolayer of α-sexithiophene (6T). The controlled growth of 6T ultrathin films on epitaxial Fe3O4 surfaces allows to prepare highly homogeneous insulating layers with thicknesses in the range 0.5-2.0 monolayers (ML). A combined study using vibrating sample magnetometry and polarized neutron reflectivity reveals that hybrid Fe3O4/6T/Co tunnel junctions show different magnetic couplings depending on the 6T thickness. In particular, magnetic coupling between Fe3O4 and Co layers separated by 1 ML of 6T is consistent with anti-ferromagnetic coupling, opening new perspectives for controlling magnetization in organic spintronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Using surface X-ray diffraction, we investigated 20nm thick -Fe2O3(0001) thin films deposited on -Al2O3(0001) and Pt(111) single crystals. The films were grown in identical conditions by atomic oxygen assisted molecular beam epitaxy techniques. Both substrates offer close lattice parameter misfits. On sapphire an isostructural epitaxial relationship is observed and a 30 in plane rotation of the lattice for Pt(111). The crystalline quality of the film deposited on Pt(111) is much better and contained less parasitic contributions. The improved crystalline quality of -Fe2O3(0001) layers on Pt(111) is attributed to the presence of a very well ordered interfacial dislocation network which is missing when -Al2O3 is used as substrate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]