Amorphous oxides which are transparent and conducting find use in display devices and as top electrodes in energy applications, while those which are conducting and magnetic have the potential to be used in spintronics. With the fast approaching limit of Moore’s law, new materials are needed where the spin and polarization of the electrons are coupled. Despite progress in transparent conductors, materials selection is limited by the need to have wide optical bandgap and conduction via s-orbital. In contrast, search for new spintronics materials has picked up only in the last decade. Here we report the synthesis, characterization, and application of a new oxide made from Fe, Tb, and Dy - elements that do not conduct via the s-orbital. Thin films (100 nm) of this oxide were synthesized by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) as a function of varying oxygen pressure, and by electron-beam evaporation as a function of the cation composition, and then annealed under different conditions. Films deposited at 5x10-8 Torr exhibited high optical transparency (90%) and conductivity (~104 S/m). Films deposited at O2 pressures below 1x10-5 Torr were conductive (~104 S/m), magnetic (up to 480 emu/cc), and optically transparent, while the ones above 1x10-5 Torr were optically transparent but insulating and non-magnetic. Changes in the cation stoichiometry showed the films’ transition from being metallic to semiconducting with decreasing Fe content relative to the Lanthanides. However, when a very iron-rich film was annealed through several heating and cooling cycles in low vacuum, the film evolved into a semiconductor that was stable in ambient conditions and showed very high conductivity (2.8x105 S/m) and room temperature magnetism (380 emu/cc). The PLD deposited films were utilized as the ferromagnetic layer for magneto-electric coupling with bismuth ferrite as well as a top electrode for bismuth ferrite capacitors. A giant magneto-resistance (GMR) device made from the Fe-Tb-Dy-oxide and bismuth ferrite showed evidence of magneto-electric coupling at room temperature. The discovery of this oxide not only introduces new materials physics that could be explored and exploited to engineer new multifunctional materials, but the oxide itself proves to be very promising for spintronics device applications.

This publication presents cleaning and etching solutions, their applications, and results on inorganic materials. It is a comprehensive collection of etching and cleaning solutions in a single source. Chemical formulas are presented in one of three standard formats - general, electrolytic or ionized gas formats - to insure inclusion of all necessary operational data as shown in references that accompany each numbered formula. The book describes other applications of specific solutions, including their use on other metals or metallic compounds. Physical properties, association of natural and man-made minerals, and materials are shown in relationship to crystal structure, special processing techniques and solid state devices and assemblies fabricated. This publication also presents a number of organic materials which are widely used in handling and general processing...waxes, plastics, and lacquers for example. It is useful to individuals involved in study, development, and processing of metals and metallic compounds. It is invaluable for readers from the college level to industrial R & D and full-scale device fabrication, testing and sales. Scientific disciplines, work areas and individuals with great interest include: chemistry, physics, metallurgy, geology, solid state, ceramic and glass, research libraries, individuals dealing with chemical processing of inorganic materials, societies and schools.