Ferromagnetic nanocomposite films from thermally labile nitride precursors

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:436384

Maya, L; Paranthaman, M; Thompson, J R; Thundat, T ^[1]; Stevenson, R J ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
2. Oak Ridge K-25 Site, TN (United States)

A series of nanocomposite films containing Ni or Co nitride dispersed in a ceramic matrix of Al nitride, B nitride, or Sio nitride, were prepared by reactive sputtering of selected alloys or compounds such as Ni aluminide or Co silicide. Thermal treatment of the nitride composites in vacuum at {le}500 C leads to selective loss of N from CoN or Ni{sub 3}N to generate dispersions of the metal in the ceramic matrix. This treatment may be performed in a localized manner by means of a focused laser beam to generate microscopic features that are imaged by magnetic force microscopy. The films are potentially useful for data storage with superior chemical and mechanical stability provided by the ceramic matrix and high encoding density made possible because of the size of the magnetic particles of less than 10 nm generated in the thermal treatment. The films were characterized by chemical and physical means including FTIR, TEM, MFM, and magnetic measurements. Preliminary results on similar iron composites are also described.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 436384
• Report Number(s): CONF-961202--20; ON: DE97001307
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
ALUMINIUM NITRIDES
BORON NITRIDES
COBALT COMPOUNDS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICES
NICKEL NITRIDES
RECORDING SYSTEMS
SILICON NITRIDES
THIN FILM STORAGE DEVICES