Iron nanoparticles embedded in SrTiO$_{3}$ via ion implantation1

Magnetic nanoparticles are interesting because of their possible applications ranging from biomedicine to data storage. Syntheses of iron nanoparticles embedded in YSZ and Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$ matrices by ion implantation have already been reported in literature. It is thus natural to ask if SrTiO$_{3}$ would be a good alternative matrix material because of its compatibility with silicon and the unique dielectric behaviors. In this work, 60 keV Fe$^{+}$ ions were implanted at room temperature into single-crystalline substrates of SrTiO$_{3}$ to a dosage of 5x10$^{16}$ ions/cm$^{2}$. The specimens were then annealed at different temperatures in various ambient to bring about the nano-precipitation. Spectrophotometry, SQUID magnetometry, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and electrical measurements were conducted to understand the magnetic and electrical properties in relation to the structures of the nano-composites formed under various conditions of ion implantation and post-annealing.