Nanocomposite films of BiFeO3-Bi2Fe4O9 were fabricated on a sapphire substrate Al2O3 using the method of gas discharge high-frequency cathodic sputtering of a ceramic target with a stoichiometric composition in an oxygen atmosphere. The results of the film analysis using X-ray structural analysis, Raman scattering, XPS, and atomic force microscopy are presented. The lattice parameters, surface topography, chemical composition of the films, concentration, and average sizes of the crystallites for each phase were determined. It was shown that the ratio of the BiFeO3 to Bi2Fe4O9 phases in the obtained film is approximately 1:2. The sizes of the crystallites range from 15 to 17 nm. The optical and magnetic properties of the nanocomposite layers were studied, and the band gap width and magnetization hysteresis characteristic of ferromagnetic behavior were observed. The band gap width was found to be 1.9 eV for the indirect and 2.6 eV for the direct interband transitions. The magnetic properties are characterized by a hysteresis loop resembling a "wasp-waist" shape, indicating the presence of magnetic anisotropy.

Amirkhanov Institute of Physics Dagestan Federal Research Center Russian Academy of Sciences St M Yaragskogo 94 367003 Makhachkala Russia

Department of Physics Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication Brno University of Technology Technická 2848 8 61600 Brno Czech Republic

Federal Research Centre The Southern Scientific Centre Russian Academy of Sciences 344006 Rostov on Don Russia

Physical Department Dagestan State University St M Gadjieva 43 a 367015 Makhachkala Russia

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