Thermal conversion of an iron nitride{endash}silicon nitride precursor into a ferromagnetic nanocomposite

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.366776· OSTI ID:565654

Maya, L ^[1]; Thompson, J R; Song, K J ^[2]; Warmack, R J ^[3]

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1. Chemical and Analytical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6119 (United States)
2. Department of Physics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1200 (United States)
3. Health Sciences Research Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6123 (United States)

Iron nitride films, FeN, in a pure form and in the form of a nanocomposite in silicon nitride were prepared by reactive sputtering using iron or iron disilicide, respectively, as targets in a nitrogen plasma. Iron nitride decomposes into the elements by heating in vacuum to 800 {degree}C. Intermediate phases such as Fe{sub 2}N or Fe{sub 4}N form at lower temperatures. The nanocomposites contain the iron phases as particles with an average size of {approximately}5 nm dispersed in the amorphous silicon nitride matrix. The magnetic properties of the nanocomposites were established. The precursor FeN{endash}Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} film is paramagnetic, while the Fe{endash}Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}, obtained by heating in vacuum, is ferromagnetic and shows typical superparamagnetic behavior. These films are of interest as recording media with superior chemical and mechanical stability and may be encoded by localized heating.

• OSTI ID: 565654
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 83; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COERCIVE FORCE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
HEAT TREATMENTS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON NITRIDES
MAGNETIZATION
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON NITRIDES
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SUPERPARAMAGNETISM
THIN FILMS