Magnetic properties of amorphous Tb-Fe thin films with an artificially layered structure

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.336999· OSTI ID:6121996

Sato, N

An alternating terbium-iron (Tb-Fe) multilayer structure artificially made in amorphous Tb-Fe thin films gives rise to excellent magnetic properties of large perpendicular uniaxial anisotropy, large saturation magnetization, and large coercivity over a wide range of Tb composition in the films. The films are superior to amorphous Tb-Fe alloy thin films, especially when they are piled up with a monatomic layer of Tb and several atomic layers of Fe in an alternating fashion. Small-angle x-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the layering of monatomic layers of Tb and Fe, where the periodicity of the layers was found to be about 5.9 A. Direct evidence for an artificially layered structure was obtained by transmission electron microscopic and Auger electron spectroscopic observations. Together with magnetic measurements of hysteresis loops and torque curves, it has been concluded that the most important origin of the large magnetic uniaxial anisotropy can be attributed to the Tb-Fe pairs aligned perpendicular to the films.

• Research Organization: Sony Corporation, Media Information Products and Systems Group, Disk Development Division, 7-35, Kitashinagawa 6-chome, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141, Japan
• OSTI ID: 6121996
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 59:7; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
ANISOTROPY
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COERCIVE FORCE
ELEMENTS
FILMS
HYSTERESIS
IRON
LAYERS
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETIZATION
MAGNETO-OPTICAL EFFECTS
METALLIC GLASSES
METALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RARE EARTHS
SATURATION
TERBIUM
THIN FILMS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS