Magnetic and structural properties of CoCrTa films and multilayers with Cr

Journal Article · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of Applied Physics; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.344808· OSTI ID:6838259

Sellmyer, D J; Wang, D ^[1]; Christner, J A ^[2]

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1. Behlen Laboratory of Physics, University ofNebraska, Lincoln, NE (USA) Center for Materials Research and Analysis, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0111 (USA)
2. Imprimis/CDC, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55435 (USA)

We report our studies of epitaxial growth of CoCrTa films on Cr underlayers and the properties of CoCrTa/Cr multilayers. The coercivity, {ital H}{sub {ital c}}, strongly depends on Ta composition, sputtering conditions, and the thicknesses of the magnetic layer and Cr underlayer. An {ital H}{sub {ital c}} value of 1300 Oe was obtained for a Ta composition of 2 at. %, a Cr underlayer thickness of 4000 A, and a magnetic layer thickness of 400 A. The x-ray data show that the high {ital H}{sub {ital c}} occurs when crystallites of the Cr underlayer and CoCrTa layer are aligned with the Cr (200) and CoCrTa (110) planes in the film plane. Thus, the {ital c} axis of the CoCrTa lies essentially in the plane of the film. When the thickness of the magnetic layer increases above 1000 A the {ital c} axis begins to tip out of the film plane. The basal plane lattice parameter varies roughly linearly with Ta content up to 13 at. %. For the CoCrTa/Cr multilayered films, {ital H}{sub {ital c}} values up to 1200 Oe were obtained although the {ital c}-axis orientation of the magnetic layer becomes somewhat dispersed. Models for the dependence of magnetization reversal on microstructure are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 6838259
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (USA) Vol. 67:9; ISSN 0021-8979; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
ALLOYS
CHROMIUM
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
COBALT ALLOYS
COERCIVE FORCE
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DIMENSIONS
ELEMENTS
EPITAXY
FILMS
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETIZATION
METALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
STRUCTURAL MODELS
TANTALUM ALLOYS
THICKNESS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS