Studies of thin FeAlN films prepared by different techniques

The microstructure, morphology, and magnetic properties of FeAlN films deposited by reactive rf magnetron sputtering with subsequent treatment by three techniques, namely, in situ, ex situ (with the sputtering and annealing processes separated), and thermal crystallization of amorphous alloys, have been studied. FeAlN films prepared by the ex situ technique exhibit the best soft magnetic characteristics. Thermal crystallization of amorphous alloys produced films with properties having the highest thermal stability. Films 800-to 1000-nm thick were found to have the best soft magnetic properties. The dependences of the properties of FeAlN films on nitrogen content and annealing temperature were established. The conditions favoring the preparation of thin nanostructured FeAlN films featuring the best soft magnetic characteristics (saturation induction B _S = 1.8 T, coercivity H _C = 1.2 Oe, magnetic susceptibility μ₁ (1 MHz) = 3400) were determined.     

Study of high-coercivity sintered NdFeB magnets

Magnetic powders for sintered NdFeB magnets have been prepared by using an advanced processing method including strip casting, hydrogen decrepitation, jet milling and rubber isotropic press. The effects of Dy, Ga and Co addition on the microstructure and magnetic properties of sintered magnets have been investigated. By adopting a suitable component ratio and adjusting proper technological parameters, we have prepared high-coercivity sintered NdFeB magnets with hard magnetic properties of _jH_c=25.6 kOe, B_r=13.2 kG and (BH)_max=39.9 MGOe. The temperature coefficient of coercivity of the magnets (between 20 and 150 °C) is –0.53%/°C. The magnetic properties at high temperature satisfy the needs of permanent magnet motors.     

Magnetic properties and microstructures of Fe-Cr-10 wt% Co-M (M= Si/Ti/Ni/Mo/Ge/Ta) permanent magnet alloys

Effect of alloying elements and heat treatments on magnetic properties and microstructures of Fe-Cr-10 wt% Co alloys was studied by magnetic measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Among the alloying elements tried, it was found that only Si and Ti can greatly improve the hard magnetic properties of the Fe-Cr-Co alloys. An Fe-10Co-26Cr alloy added with 0.5 wt% Si-0.5 wt% Ti showed the best combination of magnetic properties of H_c = 43 kA/m.B_r = 1.42 T, (BH)_m = 41 kJ/m³.The variation in magnetic properties was correlated to quantitative microstructural features, particle size and aspect ration. It was found that for alloys of the same composition, H_c is determined by shape anisotropy induced by magnetic aging.     

Synthesis, structural and magnetic properties of the nanocomposite Fe63B23Nd7Y3Nb3Cr1 magnets

The Fe₆₃B₂₃Nd₇Y₃Nb₃Cr₁ nanocomposite magnets in the form of sheets have been prepared by copper mold casting technique. The phase evolution, crystal structure, microstructural and magnetic properties have been investigated in the as-cast and annealed states. The as-cast sheets show magnetically soft behaviors which become magnetically hard by thermal annealing. The optimal annealed microstructure was composed of nanosize soft magnetic α-Fe (19-29 nm) and hard magnetic Nd₂Fe₁₄B (45-55 nm) grains. The best hard magnetic properties such as intrinsic coercivity, _jH_c of 1119 kA/m, remanence, B_r of 0.44 T, magnetic induction to saturation magnetization ratio, M_r/M_s=0.61 and maximum energy product, (BH)_max of 55 kJ/m³ was obtained after annealing at 680 °C for 15 min. The annealing treatment above 680 °C results in non-ideal phase grains growth, which degrade the magnetic properties.     

Influence of the nitrogen contents on the permeability characteristics and soft magnetic properties of FeHfN films

High permeability magnetic films can enhance the inductance of thin-film inductors in DC-DC converters. In order to obtain high permeability, the uniaxial anisotropy and coercivity should be as low as possible. This study employed dc reactive magnetron sputtering to fabricate nanocrystalline FeHfN thin films. The influence of the nitrogen flow on the composition, microstructure, and permeability characteristics, as well as magnetic properties was investigated. Increasing the nitrogen content can alter FeHfN films from amorphous-like to crystalline phases. The magnetic properties and permeability depend on variations in the microstructure. With the optimum N₂/Ar flow ratio of 4.8% (N₂ flow: 1.2 sccm), low anisotropy (H_K = 18 Oe), low coercivity (H_C = 1.1 Oe) and high permeability (μ′ > 600 at 50 MHz) were obtained for fabrication of a nanocrystalline FeHfN film with a thickness of around 700 nm. Such as-fabricated FeHfN films with a permeability of over 600 should be a promising candidate for high-permeability ferromagnetic material applications.     

Effect of severe plastic deformation and ultrarapid quenching on the properties of magnetic shape memory alloys near the Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>MnGa composition

The effect of ultrarapid quenching from melt and subsequent severe plastic deformation by torsion in Bridgman anvils on the temperatures of martensitic (T _M) and magnetic (T _C ) phase transitions in magnetic shape memory alloys has been investigated. The features of the crystal structure and magnetic, electric, and optical properties of Ni₂MnGa-based alloys with different degrees of structural ordering are discussed. The effect of doping with copper and cobalt on the properties of nonstoichiometric Ni₅₀Mn_28.5Ga_21.5 alloy is considered.     

Effects of powder flowability on the alignment degree and magnetic properties for NdFeB sintermagnets

The magnetic powders for sintered NdFeB magnets have been prepared by using the strip casting (SC), hydrogen decrepitation (HD) and jet milling (JM) techniques. The effects of powder flowability and addition of a lubricant on the alignment degree and the hard magnetic properties of sintered magnets have been studied. The results show that the main factor affecting powder flowability is the aggregation of magnetic particles for powders in a loose state, but it is the friction between the powder particles for powders that are in a compact state. The addition of a lubricant with suitable dose can slightly prevent the congregating of powders, obviously decrease the friction between the powder particles, improve the powder flowability, and increase the alignment degree, remanence and energy product density of sintered magnets. Mixing a suitable dose of lubricant and adopting rubber isostatic pressing (RIP) with a pulse magnetic field, we have succeeded in producing the sintered NdFeB magnet with high hard magnetic properties of B_r=14.57 KG, _jH_c=14.43 KOe, (BH)_max=51.3 MGOe.     

Creation of ferromagnetic properties of V–Fe and Zr–Fe alloys by hydrogen absorption

The results of investigations of V_1?y Fe _y H _x and Zr_1?y Fe _y H _x alloys by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy are presented and discussed in view of hydrogen ability to create ferromagnetic properties of the alloy. The results indicate two different possibilities of hydrogen influence on the hyperfine magnetic field. Hydrogen absorption causes the ferromagnetic behaviour of the alloys at significant lower iron concentration compared to the concentration of magnetic transition in binary alloys. The main reason for such behaviour is the anisotropic lattice expansion in hydrogenated V–Fe and Zr–Fe alloys as well as the decomposition of paramagnetic Zr-rich intermetallic compounds in the aftermath of the strong electron affinity of hydrogen for zirconium. These trends give rise to growth of magnetic clusters of Fe atoms so strong that they can participate in the overall magnetic properties of the system under investigation.     

Synthesis,structures and magnetic properties of Pr-lean Pr2Fe14B/Fe3B nanocomposite alloys

The lean rare-earth Pr_4.5Fe_77−xTi_xB_18.5 (x=0, 1, 4, 5) nanocomposite alloys were prepared by melt spinning method and subsequent thermal annealing. The effect of Ti content and annealing temperature on the magnetic properties and the microstructure of these magnets were investigated. The enhancing coercivity H_c from 211.4 to 338.2 kA/m has been observed at the optimal annealing temperature of 700 °C by the addition of 5 at% Ti in Pr₂Fe₁₄B/Fe₃B alloys. It was also found that increasing Ti content leads to marked grain refinement in the annealed alloys, resulting in strong exchange-coupling interaction between the hard and the soft phases in these ribbons. In addition, the magnetization reversal behaviors of Pr₂Fe₁₄B/Fe₃B nanocomposites were discussed in detail.     

Effect of Cr doping in the bilayer manganite La1.4Sr1.6Mn2O7

The effect of Cr doping on magnetic and electrical properties in the bilayer manganites La_1.4Sr_1.6(Mn_1−yCr_y)₂O₇ (y=0-0.1) has been investigated. When y≤0.025, Cr doping enhances the three-dimensional magnetic transition temperature T_C and the insulator-metal transition temperature T_IM as well as decreases the peak resistivity at T_IM, and the saturated magnetization decreases slightly. When y≥0.035, T_IM decreases gradually accompanied by the increase of peak resistivity, but T_C remains nearly constant, and the saturated magnetization decreases heavily. In the whole doping region, the two-dimensional magnetic transition temperature T^? monotonously decreases with an increasing of Cr doping level. These results can be explained by considering different magnetic (including ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic) interactions between Mn ions and Cr ions.     

Low-temperature-fired NiCuZn ferrites with BBSZ glass

Addition of BBSZ (27% Bi₂O₃, 35% H₃BO₃, 6% SiO₂, and 32% ZnO in mol%) glass has been used to enhance densification and improve the magnetic properties of low-temperature-fired NiCuZn ferrites. It was found that the BBSZ glass did not form a visible second phase in our testing range. However, the densification and microstructure of the ferrites were initially very sensitive to the BBSZ glass content. Even a slight increase in BBSZ glass content from 0.25 to 0.5 wt% was sufficient to change the ferrite samples from not being well sintered with a uniform microstructure and very small grain size to a typical bimodal, inhomogeneous microstructure. It proved to be better to add more BBSZ glass than the critical content to obtain the appropriate microstructure and magnetic properties. In this study, a ferrite sample with 0.75 wt% BBSZ glass gave the best performance in terms of densification, microstructure, permeability, and Q-factor characteristics.     

The magnetic entropy change in La0.8Ce0.2Fe11.4Si1.6Bx compounds prepared by copper-mold casting

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of La_0.8Ce_0.2Fe_11.4Si_1.6B_x (x=0.0-0.5) compounds, prepared by a copper-mold casting (CMC) method, has been investigated. Comparing with the conventional arc-melting (CAM) method, the relatively homogenous composition and microstructure were achieved in the precursor alloys prepared by the CMC method. As a result, the annealing time is dramatically shortened from several weeks for CAM alloys to 2 h for CMC alloys, suggesting that CMC method is a time-saving and energy-saving method for fabrication of MCE alloys. On the other hand, it is revealed that B addition gives rise to an enhancement of Curie temperature (T_C), a reduction of thermal lag and magnetic hysteresis and a broadening of working temperature span as well. Although the peak value of magnetic entropy change decreases with B content, various B-contained compounds hold close refrigerant capacities. Comprehensively considering magnetocaloric properties of the B-contained La_0.8Ce_0.2Fe_11.4Si_1.6B_x compounds, it can be concluded that the B-contained compounds prepared by CMC method are promising candidates of magnetocaloric materials in practical application.     

Structural transformations and magnetic properties of Fe60Pt15B25 and Fe60Pt25B15 nanocomposite alloys

Structural and magnetic properties of two rapidly solidified and post-annealed Fe₆₀Pt₁₅B₂₅ and Fe₆₀Pt₂₅B₁₅ alloys are compared. The as-quenched Fe₆₀Pt₁₅B₂₅ ribbon was fully amorphous whereas in the Fe₆₀Pt₂₅B₁₅ alloy the amorphous phase coexists with an fcc FePt disordered solid solution. Differential scanning calorimetry curves of both alloys reveal a single exothermal peak with onset temperatures of 873 and 847 K for Fe₆₀Pt₁₅B₂₅ and Fe₆₀Pt₂₅B₁₅, respectively. Magnetically hard, tetragonal ordered L1₀ FePt and magnetically soft Fe₂B nanocrystalline phases were formed due to the annealing of the alloys, as indicated by X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements. Two-phase behavior was detected in the temperature dependence of magnetization of the annealed samples. A magnetic hardening was observed for all annealed ribbons. Magnetic properties of the annealed alloys, studied by hysteresis loop measurements, were related to the differences in the relative fractions of the hard and soft magnetic phases calculated from Mössbauer spectra. The alloy with 25 at% Pt exhibits better hard magnetic properties (H_c=437 kA/m, M_r/M_s=0.74) than the alloy with smaller Pt content (H_c=270 kA/m, M_r/M_s=0.73) mainly due to the larger abundance of the ordered tetragonal FePt phase.     

Stress effect on the magnetoresistance of amorphous ferromagnets

To investigate the magnetization in amorphous ferromagnetic alloys we measured the change in the magnetoresistance (H⊥j and H 6j) simultaneously applying a tensile stress along the direction of the ribbons. With increasing stress we observed a complete alignment of the magnetic domain vectors M_s parallel andantiparallel (for λ_s > 0) or perpendicular (for λ_s < 0) to the stress axis. It is found that on average a value of σ_s = 10 kg/mm² is sufficient in all measured samples to produce this effect. The change in the magnetoresistance by stress annealing indicates that a preferred domain orientation in stress direction is induced.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of hard magnetic Sm2Fe17Nδ thin films with Co substitution

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of the hard magnetic Sm₂(Fe_1−xCo_x)₁₇N_δ thin films prepared by dc magnetron sputtering and subsequent nitrogenation process were investigated. It is found that the N content and crystal structure determine the non-monotonic dependence of the coercivity H_C on nitriding temperature for the films with x=0. With nitriding temperature exceeding 300 °C, N atoms can enter the Sm₂Fe₁₇ phase and the N content increases with increasing nitriding temperature, which leads to an increased coercivity. However, the maximum value of the H_C is observed at 400 °C. The α-Fe soft phase appears with nitriding temperature further increasing to 500 °C, which is responsible for the decreased H_C. When x is between 0 and 0.36, the films exhibit single Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure. Co atoms are found to go into the lattice of the 2:17 phase, generating an enhanced exchange coupling interaction between the nano-grains, which is responsible for the improved hard magnetic properties of the films with Co substitution at a certain range. Especially, the optimal value of the coercivity H_C and remanence ratio M_R/M_S reaches 4.0 kOe and 0.70 for the films with x=0.17 and 0.36, respectively.     

Nonmonotonic magnetic-field dependence of transport coefficients for n-Bi-Sb semiconducting alloys

The transport coefficients of tellurium-doped n-Bi_{1 ? x} Sb _x semiconducting alloys (0.07 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) are studied for single-crystal samples in the temperature range 1.5 ≤ T ≤ 40 K and in magnetic fields 0 ≤ H < 20 kOe. The theory developed in this study attributes the specific features in the behavior of the transport coefficients observed in a magnetic field to a strong anisotropy of the electron spectrum and anisotropy in the electron relaxation time. It is found that the dependences of the transport coefficients on the magnetic field for H ∥ C ₃ can be theoretically expressed through one anisotropy parameter δ, and those for H ∥ C ₂, by means of several anisotropy parameters, namely, γ, η, ζ, and m ₃/m ₁. It is established that the anisotropy parameter δ in the n-Bi-Sb semiconducting alloys can be estimated from measurements of the electrical resistivity ρ₂₂(∞)/ρ₂₂(0) ? δ and the Hall coefficient R _12.3(∞)/R _12.3(H → 0) ? δ in a magnetic field H ∥ C ₃. It is shown that the observed increase in the thermoelectric efficiency by a factor of 1.5–2.0 in the transverse magnetic fields H ∥ C ₃ and H ∥ C ₂ originates from the nonmonotonic dependence of the diffusion component of the thermopower Δα₂₂(H)(?T ∥ C ₁) on the magnetic field. The nonmonotonic dependence of the diffusion thermopower in n-Bi-Sb semiconducting alloys is associated with the strong anisotropy of the electron spectrum, the anisotropy in the electron relaxation time, and the many-valley pattern of the spectrum.     

Influence of thickness,width and temperature on critical current density of Nb thin film structures

The density of critical currents j_C in Nb thin films with thickness smaller than 15 nm and width between 100 nm and 10 μm has been measured in a wide temperature range. We have found that the temperature dependencies of j_C in sub-micrometer wide bridges at 0.7T_C < T < T_C are well described by the Ginzburg–Landau de-pairing critical current. In wider bridges already at T < 0.9T_C the j_C value is significantly reduced due to the penetration and de-pinning of magnetic vortices.     

The effect of transition element doping on the electronic and magnetic properties of La1.4Sr1.6Mn2O7

The effect of transition element (TE=Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) doping on the electronic transport and magnetic properties in the bilayer manganite La_1.4Sr_1.6Mn₂O₇ is studied for the same dopant concentration fixed at 2%. Doping does not cause change in structure but different behavior in magnetic and transport properties. Except for Cr, all the other dopings significantly shift the magnetic transition temperature (T_C) to a lower temperature. Associated with such a decrease, the insulator-metal transition temperature (T_IM) decreases and the peak resistivity (ρ_p) at T_IM increases. Cr doping enhances T_C and T_IM as well as decreases ρ_p. Fe doping apparently has a stronger effect than Co and Ni doping. It is also indicated that Cu doping causes an anomalously large increase in ρ_p. These behaviors are compared with those observed in other bilayer manganites such as La_1.2Sr_1.8Mn₂O₇ as well as in La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_1−xTE_xO₃.     

Influence of magnetic (Fe) and non-magnetic (Ga) ion doping at Mn-site on the transport and magnetic properties of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3

The modifications in electrical and magnetic properties of polycrystalline bulk La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_1−xT_xO₃ (T=Fe, Ga) samples at relatively higher doping concentration (x=0.08-0.12) are investigated. All the synthesized, single phase samples were subjected to resistivity measurements in the temperature range 50-300 K. No insulator-metal transition (T_P) was observed for Fe doped samples with x=0.12. For all the other samples the transition temperature decreased with increase in doping concentration. The small polaron hoping energy was found to increase, rather slowly, with increase in doping concentration. The effect on magnetic properties is also prominently observed with respect to doping element and doping concentration. Interestingly, with the increase in doping concentration, the Curie temperature (T_C) and T_P separate out significantly indicating decoupling of electric and magnetic properties. Changes in these properties have been analyzed on the basis of magnetic disorder introduced in the system due to the magnetic and nonmagnetic nature of these ions rather than strong lattice effects which is insignificant due to similar ionic radii of Fe⁺³ and Ga⁺³ when compared to that of Mn⁺³.     

Effect of isothermal treatments on the magnetic behavior of nanocrystalline Cu–Ni–Fe alloy prepared by mechanical alloying

The present study concerns magnetic behavior of nanocrystalline Cu–Ni, Cu–Fe and Cu–Ni–Fe alloys prepared by mechanical alloying. It has been found that the magnetic properties e.g. H_c, M_r and M_s of the nanocrystalline alloys were significantly influenced by the changes in microstructural constituents, grain size and evolution of phases. Microstructural changes in the alloys have been effected by carrying out isothermal treatments on the mechanically alloyed products in the temperature range of 450–650 °C. Phase evolution in the samples after the isothermal treatments were identified and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) techniques and the results were correlated with the magnetic properties of the alloys.