Bulk versus surface effects in magnetic thin films obtained by pulsed laser deposition

In this paper we present a direct comparison between the properties of bulk magnetic systems and those of corresponding thin films obtained by pulsed laser deposition. These are Fe50Co50, Fe3O4, Fe3O4:Co and Fe2O3:Cr. Using X-ray diffraction, transmission and conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy, we present results on the bulk and surface hyperfine magnetic fields, site populations and magnetic texture. Our results support an increase in the hyperfine field values at surfaces, a more pronounced out-of-plane magnetic texture in the films, as well as a perfect transfer of stoichiometry and substitution level from target to substrate materials.