Fe/Ni Cluster Hybrid Material Produced by Double Glow Discharge Sources

Abstract

Fe and Ni clusters have been simultaneously deposited on substrates using an improved plasma-gas-condensation cluster deposition apparatus, and investigated by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and magnetometry. In these Fe/Ni cluster hybrids Fe and Ni clusters are randomly mixed, where bcc Fe and fcc Ni diffraction rings are detected, and their lattice constants are almost same as those of pure Fe and Ni metals. The peak positions of core-levels, Fe-2p_3⁄2 and Ni-2p_3⁄2 lines, of Fe/Ni cluster hybrids are similar to those of pure Fe and Ni clusters. Since Fe and Ni are miscible with each other in bulk, equilibrium and film specimens, no nano-scale heterogeneity can be attained by other methods. Therefore, present results demonstrate formation of novel Fe/Ni nano-hybrid materials.