The magnetic and microstructural properties of sputter-deposited and annealed CoCrPtNb thin films

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials 2002-07, Vol.248 (2), p.190-199
• Main Authors: Almasi-Kashi, M, Grundy, P.J, Jones, G.A, Nadgaran, H, Zhao, X
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Annealing; Bilayers; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Deposition by sputtering; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of monolayers and thin films; Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers; Materials science; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; Microstructural properties; Physics; Sputtering; Structure and morphology; thickness; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Thin film structure and morphology; Thin films
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-8853(02)00191-9

Quaternary (CoCrPt) 100− x Nb x /Cr bilayer thin films have been sputter-deposited and their magnetic and microstructural properties determined as a function of niobium content and thermal annealing. Coercivity, magnetisation, crystallography and magnetic interactions are shown to be dependent on composition and annealing conditions. Large coercivity increases and reduced magnetisations and intergranular interactions are obtained in annealed crystalline samples. As-deposited amorphous samples and those crystallised during annealing exhibit low coercivity. The observed properties are explained in terms of composition and crystallographic orientation on deposition and by a redistribution, diffusion and oxidation of elements on annealing.