Abstract
Iron-iron oxide granular films are fabricated using dc magnetron sputtering. Their structural, magnetic and transport properties are studied in the vicinity of percolation threshold. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirm the coexistence of iron and FeOx. Magnetic measurement indicates the exchange coupling between the iron and the FeOx matrix. Metal-insulator transition is observed. The non-monotonic temperature dependencies of resistivity occur near the percolation threshold and the mechanism is investigated with the longitudinal and transverse magnetic transport measurement in terms of weak localization. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.