Interface properties in granular compound films studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy

Abstract The nature of iron atoms in granular iron compounds (FeSiO 2 , FeAl 2 O 3 , FeZrO 2 ) was studied by the Mossbauer effect. Granular compounds with a low concentration of iron are almost amorphous and exhibit a large distribution of hyperfine parameters. Superparamagnetism occurs, the transition temperature depending on the diameter of the grains. The behaviour of iron in granular samples depends on the nature of the insulating matrix.