Strongly in-plane magnetized FePt thin film on ultrathin Fe underlayer

The effect of ultrathin Fe underlayer on the strong in-plane magnetization of FePt magnetic thin film was investigated. This FePt thin film could be attained using the ultrathin Fe underlayer with 1 nm thickness. The in-plane coercivity of FePt film with 20 nm thickness grown on ultrathin Fe underlayer was high up to 7400 Oe. However, its out-of-plane coercivity was extremely low to 350 Oe compared to those of FePt thin films in other conventional studies. This result indicates that FePt thin film was strongly in-plane magnetized by ultrathin Fe underlayer. The strong ordering phase transformation kinetics and the high texturing to in-plane direction of the FePt thin film by ultrathin Fe underlayer were confirmed by Kinetics Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation and XRD measurement result, respectively. It is also supposed that they are associated with the reduction of an interface free energy between the film and the substrate with an introduction of ultrathin underlayer.     

Low-temperature ordering of L10 FePt phase in FePt thin film with AgCu underlayer

FePt (20 nm) films with AgCu (20 nm) underlayer were prepared on thermally oxidized Si (0 0 1) substrates at room temperature by using dc magnetron sputtering, and the films annealed at different temperature to examine the disorder–order transformation of the FePt films. It is found that the ordered L1₀ FePt phase can form at low annealing temperature. Even after annealing at 300 °C, the in-plane coercivity of 5.2 kOe can be obtained in the film. With increase in annealing temperature, both the ordering degree and coercivity of the films increase. The low-temperature ordering of the films may result from the dynamic stress produced by phase separation in AgCu underlayer and Cu diffusion into FePt phase during annealing.     

Bi底层对FePt薄膜的影响

利用磁控溅射的方法，在玻璃基片上制备了以Bi为底层的FePt薄膜，经不同温度真空热处理得到L1₀-FePt薄膜.研究了Bi做底层对FePt薄膜的有序化温度及矫顽力H_c的影响.实验结果表明：以Bi做底层的FePt薄膜在350℃实现低温有序，同时其H_c也有大幅度提高，并且可以在更大成分范围内获得H_c较高的L1₀-FePt薄膜.利用X射线光电子能谱研究了薄膜中Bi原子的分布情况，利用X射线衍射研究了薄膜的晶体学结构变化.结果表明,Bi底层在退火过程中的扩散促进了FePt薄膜有序度的升高. 关键词： 0-FePt薄膜')" href="#">L1₀-FePt薄膜 有序化温度 底层 扩散     

Amorphous Ni-Al underlayer-accelerated L10 ordering transition of FePt thin films

In the present study, we succeeded in accelerating the L1₀ ordering transition of FePt thin films by employing amorphous Ni-Al as underlayers. The coercivity H_c = 5 kOe and ordering parameter S = 0.67 of FePt thin films deposited on a Ni-Al underlayer with a thickness of ∼5 nm after 380 °C annealing for 30 min are significantly higher than those H_c = 0.4 kOe and S = 0.35 of the films without the Ni-Al underlayer. The L1₀ ordering process of and the coercivity of FePt thin films can be significantly tuned by varying the thickness of the Ni-Al underlayer.     

Low-temperature deposition of L10 FePt films for ultra-high density magnetic recording

A method based on strain-induced phase transformation was used to lower the ordering temperature of FePt films. The strain resulted from the lattice mismatch between the FePt film and the substrate or underlayer favored the ordering. The relationships between the lattice mismatch, the ordering of FePt film, and the corresponding magnetic anisotropic constant were investigated. A critical lattice mismatch near 6.33% was believed to be most suitable for improving the chemical ordering of the FePt films. CrX (X=Ru, Mo, W, Ti) alloys with (2 0 0) texture was used to control the easy axis and ordering temperature of FePt films on glass substrate. Large uniaxial anisotropy constant K_u?1×10⁷ erg/cm³, good magnetic squareness (∼1) and FePt(0 0 1) texture (rocking curve −5°) were obtained at the temperature T_s?250 °C when using CrRu underlayer. The diffusion from overlying layers of Ag and Cu and an inserted Ag pinning layer were effective in reducing the exchange decoupling and changing the magnetization reversal. The media noise was effectively reduced and the SNR was remarkably enhanced when a 2 nm Ag was inserted.     

Structural and magnetic properties of FePt films grown on Cr1-xMox underlayers

FePt films were deposited on Cr_1-xMo_x underlayers by dc magnetron sputtering. The effects of the Mo content in the underlayers, underlayer thickness, substrate temperature, and FePt film thickness on the structural and magnetic properties of the FePt films were studied. Experimental results showed that the (200) textured Cr₉₀Mo₁₀ film was a promising underlayer for promoting the growth of the L1₀ FePt films with (001) preferred orientation at relatively low temperatures. With the Cr₉₀Mo₁₀ underlayers, the ordering process of the FePt films could start at 200 °C. Both the ordering degree and the out-of-plane coercivity (H_c) of the FePt films increased with an increase in substrate temperature. When the substrate temperature was ≥250 °C, the FePt films grown on the Cr₉₀Mo₁₀ underlayers could have the (001) preferred orientation. The FePt films grown on the Cr₉₀Mo₁₀ underlayers at different temperatures showed a continuous microstructure. The out-of-plane coercivities H_c decreased while the ordering degree increased with increased FePt film thickness, which could be due to the variation of the magnetic reversal mechanism from rotation predominant mode to domain wall motion predominant mode. PACS 68.55.Jk; 75.50.Ss     

Ag和Ti底层对[Fe/Pt]n多层膜有序化的影响

利用磁控溅射的方法，在热玻璃基片上制备了以Ag，Ti，Cu，Cr，Pt和Ta为底层的［Fe/Pt］_n多层膜，后经不同温度真空热处理，得到L1₀有序结构的FePt 薄膜（L1₀-FePt）.实验结果表明，以Ag和Ti为底层，通过采用基片加温，同时 利用［Fe/Pt］_n多层膜结构，可以促进FePt薄膜的有序化过程，使FePt-L1_０有序化温度从500℃降低到350℃.在较高的温度下退火，以Ag为底层对薄膜的磁性 能影响较小，而以Ti为底层在高于500℃退火后，矫顽力明显下降.在400℃退火20min后，以 Ag和Ti为底层的样品平行膜面的矫顽力分别达到597kA/m和645kA/m，剩磁比分别达到0.81和 0.94，为将来FePt-L1_０有序相合金薄膜用于未来超高密度磁记录介质打下基础. 关键词： ０-FePt薄膜')" href="#">L1_０-FePt薄膜 有序化温度 底层 多层膜结构     

Effect of Cr100−xTix (x = 0-19 at.%) alloy underlayers on the high coercivity of FePt thin film below the substrate temperature of 250 °C

The effect of Cr_100−xTi_x underlayer on orderd-L1₀ FePt films was investigated. A low-temperature ordering of FePt films could be attained through changing the Ti content of Cr_100−xTi_x underlayer. The ordering temperature of the 30 nm FePt film grown on 20 nm Cr₉₀Ti₁₀ underlayer was reduced to 250 °C which is practical manufacture process temperature. An in-plane coercivity was very high to 6000 Oe and a ratio of remnant magnetization (M_r) to saturation magnetization (M_s) was as large as 0.85. This result indicates that the coercivity obtained at 250 °C by the effect of CrTi underlayer is significantly higher than those obtained at 250-275 °C by the effect of underlayers in other conventional studies. The prominent improvement of the magnetic properties of ordered FePt thin films at low temperature of 250 °C could be understood with considering the strain-induced ordering phase transformation associated with lattice mismatch between Cr underlayer and FePt magnetic layer due to an addition of Ti content.     

Low-temperature ordering and enhanced coercivity of L10-FePt thin films with Al underlayer

FePt multilayer films with and without Al underlayer were prepared by magnetron sputtering on SiO₂ substrate and subsequently annealed in vacuum. Experimental results suggest that the existence of Al underlayer can effectively reduce the ordering temperature and increase the coercivity of FePt films. Due to the slight larger lattice constant of Al underlayer than that of FePt films, [Fe (0.66 nm)/Pt (0.84 nm)]₃₀ films begin to order at 350 °C and the coercivity of them reach to 5.7 kOe after annealing at 400 °C for half an hour.     

室温生长MgO底层诱导(001)取向FePt薄膜的有序化过程对FePt成分的依赖

室温下通过磁控溅射在表面热氧化的Si基片上生长了MgO/Fe_xPt_100-x双层膜和Fe_xPt_100-x单层膜系列样品，Fe_xPt_100-x的原子成分x=48—68.研究了热处理前后不同成分FePt薄膜的晶体结构和磁性的变化，尤其是MgO底层的引入对FePt的晶体结构和磁性的影响 关键词： FePt(001)薄膜 0相')" href="#">L1₀相     

Control of crystallographic orientation in L10 FePt films by using Cr and CrW underlayers

The microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt films grown on Cr and CrW underlayers were investigated. The FePt films that deposited on Cr underlayer show (2 0 0) orientation and low coercivity because of the diffusion between FePt and Cr underlayer. The misfit between FePt magnetic layer and underlayer increases by small addition of W element in Cr underlayer or using a thin Mo intermediate layer, which is favorable for the formation of (0 0 1) orientation and the transformation of FePt from fcc to fct phase. A good FePt (0 0 1) texture was obtained in the films with Cr₈₅W₁₅ underlayer with substrate temperature of 400 °C. The FePt films deposited on Mo/Cr underlayer exhibit larger coercivity than that of the films grown on Pt/Cr₈₅W₁₅ because 5 nm Mo intermediate layer depressed the diffusion of Cr into magnetic layer.     

Magnetic properties and microstructure of x/FePt (x=Ge,GePt) bilayer

We have investigated the effect of Ge, GePt underlayers on the formation of ordered L1₀ FePt films. With Ge underlayer, the Ge₃Pt₂ compound was formed during post-annealing at 400 °C for 1 h. Interlayer diffusion of Ge and FePt layer suppress the formation of ordered L1₀ FePt phase. With Ge₂Pt₃ underlayer, the FePt film was ordered at 350 °C and the in-plane coercivity was 5.1 kOe. The ordering temperature was reduced to about 50 °C compared to the single-layer FePt film.     

Interface mediated control of microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt-C thin films

The microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt-C film deposited on the MgO/CrRu underlayer are studied in lieu of carbon doping in FePt and RF biasing assisted etching of the MgO underlayer. Increasing amounts of carbon doping in the FePt deteriorates the chemical ordering as a result of reduced kinetic energy of FePt adatoms due to frequent collision with carbon adatoms. This leads to a reduction in the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy and hence the coercivity. RF etching of the MgO/CrRu underlayer before deposition of FePt helps to reduce the grain size and intergranular exchange interaction without adversely affecting the chemical ordering. Reduced intergranular exchange interaction leads to an increase in the coercivity.     

Influence of Bi underlayer on the magnetic properties of Fe<Subscript>x</Subscript>Pt<Subscript>100-x</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">x</Emphasis> =<Emphasis Type="Bold">40</Emphasis>∼<Emphasis Type="Bold">58</Emphasis>) films

We have studied the effect of a Bi underlayer on ordering and coercivity H_c of Fe_xPt_100-x thin films (atomic content of Fe x=40∼58). We found that the Bi underlayer enhances H_c remarkably. After annealing at 400 °C for 20 min, a Bi/Fe₄₉Pt₅₁ film can realize an H_c as high as 1.07×10³ kA/m and a ratio of the remnant M_r to the saturated magnetization M_s as high as 0.93. The ordering process of FePt film was promoted by the diffusion of Bi atoms. Moreover, the Bi underlayer broadens the range of x for high H_c from 49∼55 to 43∼55. Interestingly, with Bi underlayer, the high H_c is affected by x to a less extent. PACS 75.50.Ss; 75.50.Vv; 75.60.Ej     

L1_0-FePt合金单层磁性薄膜的微磁学模拟

具有四方结构的L10-FePt合金因其具有高磁晶各向异性和良好的化学稳定性而成为超高密度薄膜磁记录介质的最佳选择.对实验制备得到的磁性能良好的垂直取向L10-FePt合金单层膜进行了微磁学分析.在传统微磁学模型的基础上,根据晶体的对称性,引入了四角磁晶各向异性能密度的唯象表达形式;又依据薄膜生长过程中晶格对称性的破坏,考虑了薄膜面内的应力,并引入了磁弹性能.以四角磁晶各向异性能和磁弹性能为重点,对L10-FePt合金单层膜的磁滞回线进行了详细的分析,并且用微磁学方法确定了薄膜面内应力的大小.     

L10-ordered high coercivity (FePt)Ag-C granular thin films for perpendicular recording

We report (FePt)Ag-C granular thin films for potential applications to ultrahigh density perpendicular recording media, that were processed by co-sputtering FePt, Ag, and C targets on MgO underlayer deposited on thermally oxidized Si substrates. (FePt)_1−xAg_x-yvol%C (0<x<0.2, 0<y<50) films were fabricated on oxidized silicon substrates with a 10 nm MgO interlayer at 450^oC. We found that the Ag additions improved the L1₀ ordering and the granular structure of the FePt-C films with the perpendicular coercivity ranging from 26 to 37 kOe for the particle size of 5-8 nm. The (FePt)_0.9Ag_0.1-50vol%C film showed the optimal magnetic properties as well as an appropriate granular morphology for recording media, i.e., average grain size of D_av=6.1 nm with the standard deviation of 1.8 nm.     

Effect of GePt buffer layer on magnetic properties and microstructure of FePt films

We have explored the interlayer diffusion effect of Ge/FePt, GePt/FePt bilayer on the formation of ordered L1₀ FePt phase. In Ge/FePt bilayer, the Ge₃Pt₂ compound was formed during post annealing at 400^oC for 1.0 h. Diffusion between Ge and FePt layer suppres the formation of ordered L1₀ FePt phase. With Ge₂Pt₃ underlayer, the FePt film was ordered at 400 °C and the in-plane coercivity was 9.3 kOe. The ordering temperature was reduced about 50 °C compared to the single layer FePt film.     

Enhancement of L10 ordered FePt by Pt buffer layer

L₁₀-ordered FePt thin films prepared by molecular-beam epitaxy on MgO (0 0 1) substrate at 320 °C with different thickness of Pt buffer layer have been investigated. The out-of-plane coercivity increases with increasing thickness of Pt buffer. The maximum values of the long-range order parameter and uniaxial magnetic anisotropy energy are 0.72 and 1.78×10⁷ erg/cm³, respectively, for films with 12 nm thick Pt buffer layer, where the c/a ratio (0.976) shows the minimum value. The reason for the enhancement in ordering is due to the proper lattice strains Pt buffer bestows on FePt layer, these strains are equal to the contraction in lattice parameter c and the expansion in a. Studies of angular-dependent coercivity revealed that the magnetization reversal behaviour shifts from a domain-wall motion dominated case towards a near rotational mode with increasing thickness of Pt buffer layer.     

Dependence of microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt films on Cr90Ru10 underlayers

The effect of the thickness of Cr₉₀Ru₁₀ underlayers on the microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt films has been studied. Experimental results showed that the FePt films grown on the Cr₉₀Ru₁₀ underlayers exhibited a (0 0 1) preferred orientation with out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy. The degree of the FePt(0 0 1) preferred orientation was closely related to that of the Cr(0 0 2) preferred orientation. The degree of ordering of the FePt films increased with the thickness of the Cr₉₀Ru₁₀ underlayers. The angular dependence of the coercivity curves suggested that an incoherent curling rotational mode be a dominant magnetic reversal mechanism in the FePt films at various Cr₉₀Ru₁₀ underlayer thicknesses.     

利用FePt/Au多层膜结构制备垂直磁记录L10-FePt薄膜

利用磁控溅射方法在100℃的MgO单晶基片上制备了［FePt/Au］₁₀多层膜,并研究了采用FePt/Au多层膜结构对FePt薄膜的有序化温度、矫顽力（H_C）、垂直磁各向异性、晶粒尺寸以及颗粒间磁交换耦合作用的影响.磁性测试结果表明：FePt/Au多层膜在退火后具有较高的H_C、良好的垂直磁各向异性、较小的晶粒尺寸且无磁交换耦合作用.截面高分辨电镜分析表明：Au可以缓解MgO和FePt之间较大的晶格错配,从而促进薄 关键词： 0-FePt薄膜')" href="#">L1₀-FePt薄膜 有序化温度 垂直磁各向异性 磁交换耦合作用