Structural origins of magnetic anisotropy in sputtered amorphous Tb-Fe films

Journal Article · Mon Sep 28 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Physical Review Letters; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.69.1939· OSTI ID:7051303

Harris, V G; Aylesworth, K D; Das, B N; Elam, W T; Koon, N C ^[1]

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1. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375-5000 (United States)

Using x-ray-absorption fine-structure measurements we have obtained clear evidence for structural anisotropy in amorphous sputter-deposited TbFe films exhibiting perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Modeling of the data shows that perpendicular anisotropy in these films is associated with Fe-Fe and Tb-Tb pair correlations which are greater in plane and Tb-Fe correlations which are greater perpendicular to the film plane. Upon annealing at 300 {degree}C the measured structural anisotropy disappears and the magnetic anisotropy decreases to a level consistent with magnetoelastic interactions between the film and substrate.

• OSTI ID: 7051303
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; (United States) Vol. 69:13; ISSN PRLTA; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360102 -- Metals & Alloys-- Structure & Phase Studies
360104* -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
ALLOY SYSTEMS
ALLOYS
AMORPHOUS STATE
ANISOTROPY
ANNEALING
BINARY ALLOY SYSTEMS
CHEMICAL BONDS
CORRELATIONS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
FILMS
HEAT TREATMENTS
IRON ALLOYS
RARE EARTH ALLOYS
SPECTROSCOPY
SPUTTERING
TERBIUM ALLOYS
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY