Nd:YAG laser irradiation effects on the structural and magnetic properties of polycrystalline cobalt ferrite

Nd:YAG laser irradiation effect on the structural and magnetic properties of Cobalt–Iron oxides were studied in the CoFe2O4 ferrite composition. CoFe2O4 spinel ferrite was prepared by conventional double sintering ceramic method. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals single phase cubic spinel structure before irradiation and defects appears along with the spinel phase after irradiation. It was inferred that the irradiation with laser causes decrease in crystallite size. The physical densities are about 90% to their respective X-ray densities. The results of these characterizations are different for irradiated samples than that of unirradiated sample. A compressive strain is generated by the irradiation as observed by the X-ray diffraction studies, which have modified the magnetic properties of these materials. On irradiation by Nd:YAG laser beam, significant changes in the hysteresis loop features are observed, which may be attributed to formation of defects in the samples due to irradiation.