Magnetic properties of BiMnO$_{3}$ thin films

The growth conditions for growing BiMnO$_{3,}$ with pulsed laser deposition, are optimized. The optimal oxygen pressure was found to be near 32 mTorr, and the optimal substrate temperature was found to be between 630\r{ } C and 635\r{ } C. The quality of the films was checked using x-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Magnetic properties of two thin films were measured and showed that there is no clear 2$^{nd}$ order transition in ferromagnetic BiMnO$_{3}$ at the Curie temperature. A pronounced ferroelectric polarization loop was also obtained in these thin films.