Nd:YAG laser irradiation effects on electrical properties of polycrystalline Li0.5Fe2.5O4

The polycrystalline spinel structured Li0.5Fe2.5O4 ferrite have been prepared by conventional double sintering ceramic method. The samples were palletized and irradiated by Nd:YAG laser with different laser fluencies and characterized by infrared spectroscopy and DC electrical resistivity in order to obtain phase, crystal structure and conduction mechanism in pristine and irradiated samples. The infrared spectroscopy is employed to study the local symmetry and conduction mechanism in crystalline solids before and after irradiation. The DC electrical resistivity measured by two-probe technique from room temperature to beyond Curie temperature with steps of 10 K increases after laser irradiation. Variation of dielectric properties like dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent is also measured as a function of temperature. A significant reduction in the values of dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent has been observed with the increase of laser dose. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.