Surface influenced magnetostructural transition in FeRh films

Journal Article · Thu Dec 03 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3265921· OSTI ID:1040280

Kim, J W; Ding, Y; Lewis, L H; Ali, M; Kinane, C J; Hickey, B J; Marrows, C H; Arena, D A

Surface structural effects accompanying the antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic magnetostructral transition of epitaxial FeRh thin films were investigated by grazing incidence x-ray scattering. Measurement of the film lattice parameters and variation of x-ray incident angles allow observation of the transition character on scales ranging from a few nm to the total through-thickness of the film. Out-of-plane lattice measurements confirm that the ferromagnetic phase nucleates from the surface during the heating process and is retained at the surface below the transition temperature during the cooling process. These results suggest that surface strain relief fosters nucleation of the ferromagnetic phase.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE SC OFFICE OF SCIENCE (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1040280
• Report Number(s): BNL-90916-2010-JA; APPLAB; R&D Project: LS001; KC0204011; TRN: US201210%%458
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 95, Issue 22; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ANTIFERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
HEATING
IRON ALLOYS
LATTICE PARAMETERS
NUCLEATION
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
RHODIUM ALLOYS
SCATTERING
STRAINS
THIN FILMS
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE