Effect of magnetic field and evaporation rate during deposition on the number and size of crystallites

The purpose of this work was to study the effects of a magnetic field and evaporation rate during deposition on the crystal count and size of a thin film material. First, the functionality of a precision balance and the relationship between solvent evaporation rate and vapour pressure and container surface area were studied as part of the bachelor studies practise report. The functionality of a precision balance was tested by weighing a static object for three hours. Values gathered during individual time frames between calibrations were noted to be consistent. The balance was deemed fit to use for further measurements. The evaporation rate of five solvents with different vapour pressures, as well as the evaporation time of one solvent for three container surface areas was investigated. A correlation between solvent vapour pressure, container surface area and solvent evaporation rate was found. Higher solvent vapour pressures and larger exposed container surface areas were found to correlate with greater solvent evaporation rates under identical conditions. Second, the effects of a magnetic field and evaporation rate during deposition on the number and size of crystallites were investigated. Pairs of thin film samples of three solutions were produced with and without the presence of a magnetic field while changing the exposed area of the container the samples were stored in. For CSV-6, the effects of the magnetic field and evaporation rate on crystallites were noted, as crystallite number and size changed differently as evaporation rate increased depending on the presence of a magnetic field. For CSV-1, the effect of evaporation rate on crystallites was noted to be greater, as crystallite numbers exhibited similar changes irregardless of the magnetic field, but the increase of crystallite size was more notable in samples produced in the magnetic field. It was also noted that CSV-6 displayed greater crystallisation than CSV-1