Effect of Microstructure on Magnetic Properties and Anisotropy Distributions in Co/Pd Thin Films and Nanostructures

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Physical Review B: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.80.184419· OSTI ID:1020034

Shaw, J; Nembach, H; Silva, T; Russek, S; Geiss, R; Jones, C; Clark, N; Leo, T; Smith, D

The structure of Co/Pd multilayers has a strong effect on the localized anisotropy distribution within a film and on the resulting switching properties of nanostructures fabricated from identical material. By varying the underlying seed layer in sputtered films, the microstructure can be controlled from being highly (111) textured to having a random grain orientation. We find a strong correlation between the lateral homogeneity of grain orientations and the localized anisotropy distribution in the material. X-ray diffraction and reflectivity indicate that the interface is better defined and more uniform in the textured case, consistent with the presence of a strong interfacelike anisotropy.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1020034
• Report Number(s): BNL-95880-2011-JA; TRN: US201116%%18
• Journal Information: Physical Review B: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 80, Issue 18; ISSN 1098-0121
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ANISOTROPY
DISTRIBUTION
GRAIN ORIENTATION
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
NANOSTRUCTURES
REFLECTIVITY
SEEDS
THIN FILMS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
national synchrotron light source