Aging of magnetic properties in MgO films

Abstract

In this work we report on the magnetic behavior of MgO thin films prepared by sputtering. A severe aging process of the ferromagnetic properties is detected in magnetic samples exposed to ambient atmosphere. However, ferromagnetism can be successively switched on again by annealing samples in vacuum. We suggest this behavior reflects the key role played by defects in stabilizing ferromagnetism in MgO films and is likely to be closely related to the hydrogen-driven instability of V-type centers in this material.