Submicron Iron-Garnet Films on Lithium-Niobate Substrates Obtained by Ion-Beam Deposition

For the first time, yttrium-iron-garnet films with a thickness of 0.5 µm on nonoriented single-crystal lithium niobate LiNbO3 substrates are obtained by the ion-beam sputtering–deposition method. The surface profile and composition of the samples obtained are studied by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray phase analysis. Based on the data of optical and magnetic measurements, as well as the results of studies of spin-wave propagation in ferrite-garnet films on LiNbO3 substrates, we conclude that the reproducible formation of high-quality structures by nonepitaxial methods is possible for obtaining optically transparent straintronic materials, as well as the development of microwave electronic materials.