Observation and theory of strong stripe domains in amorphous sputtered FeB films

Domain structures in thin sputtered amorphous FeB films are studied by means of the longitudinal Kerr effect. In addition to the irregular domain structure characteristic of soft magnetic materials, we observe in certain regions a fine equilibrium domain structure with periodicity of a few micrometers. The Kerr contrast indicates that the magnetization at the surface of the film lies partially along the stripe direction. These characteristics and the behavior in applied fields suggests that the domains are similar to type II “strong stripe domains” observed earlier in permalloy films. Extending an earlier theory by Hara, we use a stray-field-free model with tilted orthorhombic anisotropy to show that there are at least two qualitatively different strong stripe structures: type IIa with surface magnetization perpendicular to the stripes and type IIb with surface magnetization at least partially parallel to the stripes. Type IIb is favored when K_p/K₀<cos 2θ ₀ where K₀ is the anisotropy component with axis tilted by θ₀ out of the film plane, and K_p is an in-plane anisotropy perpendicular to K₀. Strong stripes in amorphous FeB appear to be type IIb while those in permalloy are usually type IIa.     

Thickness dependence of magnetic domain formation in La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 epitaxial thin films studied by XMCD-PEEM

We have used photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) to study the effect of thin film thickness on the magnetic domain formation in La_0.6Sr_0.4MnO₃ samples that were epitaxially grown on stepped SrTiO₃ (0 0 1) substrates. The magnetic image exhibited a stripe structure elongated along the step direction, irrespective of film thickness, suggesting that uniaxial magnetic anisotropy induced by step-and-terrace structures plays an important role in the magnetic domain formation. Additional domains evolved gradually with increasing film thickness. In these domains, the direction of magnetization differed from the step direction due to biaxial magneto-crystalline anisotropy. The evolution of additional magnetic domains with increasing film thickness implies that a competition exists between the two anisotropies in LSMO films.     

The influence of easy direction of magnetisation on 59Co NMR spectrum in R2(Co1−xMnx)17 compounds

The spin echo NMR spectra of ⁵⁹Co in R₂(Co_1-xMn_x)₁₇, (R = Y, Gd) measured at 4.2 K are reported. The large shift of resonance lines is observed, that is explained as caused by reorientation of easy axis of magnetisation from easy plane to easy direction (c axis). It is suggested to explain quantitatively the spectra, that only two of four Co sites (9d and 18f) in R₂Co₁₇ structure play a dominant role in determining of anisotropy energy and the Co atoms at the 6c sites (“dumb-bell” atoms) give no direct contribution to the anisotropy energy of the compound. The corresponding changes of local anisotropy energy and the orbital part of cobalt magnetic moment characteristic for each of cobalt structural sites are calculated and discussed.     

Phase diagrams of weakly anisotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnets: III. Nonlinear excitations and random fields in quasi 2-dimensional systems

The concept of effective field-dependent anisotropy is applied to the “spinflop” transition in the quasi 2-d Heisenberg antiferromagnet with weak orthorhombic anisotropy. From the correspondence between the “spinflop” problem and the commensurate-incommensurate transtion it follows that the “spinflop” is not first order and that random fields may cause domain-wall formation. This would explain the observed broadening of the “spinflop” in K₂MnF₄. In 3-d antiferromagnets such anomalous broadening is not observed, which would agree with the critical dimensionality d_c = 2 for the random-field problem.     

Magnetic ordering in uranium monophosphide

The magnetic ordering in uranium monophosphide (UP) has been studied by neutron diffraction from a single crystal in a magnetic field. UP orders at T_N ? 122 ± 0.1 K with the type-I antiferromagnetic structure (+-+-), the ordering taking place in a first-order transition. At T₀ = 22.5 K the ordered magnetic moment jumps from 1.7 μ_B to 1.9 μ_B. With a magnetic field H = 25 kOe applied along the [11&#x0304;10] direction, it is found that UP has the collinear single-$\text{K}$ type-I structure above T₀ and undergoes a first-order transition to the planar double-$\text{K}$ type-I structure, accompanied by a “moment jump” due to the change in the moment direction from <001> to <110>.     

Some comments on superfluid 3He placed in globally deformed aerogel

New experimental results focused on the behavior of the superfluid A-like phase placed in globally deformed aerogel environment are considered. We compare experimental data collected by using optically attested axially stretched silica aerogel, on the one hand, and “nematically ordered” aerogel consisting of nearly parallel Al₂O₃ · H₂O polymer strands, on the other. In the case of axially stretched silica aerogel the point of view was adopted according to which the orbital anisotropy axis l? is long-ranged. The experiments were carried out by pulsed NMR techniques in keeping the direction of an externally applied magnetic field normal to aerogel stretching axis. We have generalized the dipole-locked configuration for arbitrary angle of inclination of the magnetic field with respect to aerogel stretching axis. The experimental data collected in using “nematically ordered” aerogel cannot be reconciled with above-mentioned results.     

Depth-selective conversion-electron Mössbauer spectroscopy of the surface of Ba-M hexaferrite single crystals

The magnetic properties of a 50-to 2-nm-thick surface layer in hexagonal ferrite BaFe₁₂O₁₉ single crystals are investigated for the first time. Measurements are made on a conversion-electron Mössbauer spectrometer constructed on the basis of a unique ultrahigh-vacuum magnetostatic electron analyzer of the “orange” type. An analysis of the experimental Mössbauer spectra obtained from the surface layer of BaFe₁₂O₁₉ 50-to 2-nm-thick single crystals reveals that (1) the spectral line widths are close to the natural widths of Mössbauer lines and neither changes nor a set of the values of effective magnetic fields, as well as a paramagnetic state of iron ions, could appear due to a defect such as the “surface,” and (2) the experimental spectra are best described only under the assumption that the surface of a hexaferrite BaFe₁₂O₁₉ single crystal contains a 2-nm-thick layer, in which the magnetic moments of iron ions are deflected through ～20° from the crystallographic C axis along which the magnetic moments of ions located in the bulk of the crystal are oriented.     

Studies of the magnetic and reversal properties for thin CoCrTa films

The effects of magnetic layer thickness on film structural and magnetic properties were studied systematically with emphasis on the thermal effects on thin recording media films. X-ray diffraction measurements reveal structural changes as thickness decreases, and the existence of a “Cr enriched phase” associated with the interface. The saturation magnetization M_s decreases with thickness and the thickness of the “dead layer” was found to be ∼23 Å. Systematic measurements of effective anisotropy, coercivity and saturation magnetization as functions of temperature have been carried out. Magnetic viscosity measurements reveal that thermal stability is affected not only by grain sizes but also by anisotropy reduction associated with nanostructure evolution, as the film thickness decreases.     

Magnetic and magneto-optical properties of epitaxial cobalt films grown on a corrugated CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Si surface

The magnetic properties of CaF₂/Co/CaF₂(110)/Si(001) heterostructures fabricated by molecular-beam epitaxy and having a corrugated CaF₂ buffer surface were studied. The optical and magneto-optical properties of these structures reflect the C _2v symmetry of the corrugated structure surface. The studies of hysteresis loops using the longitudinal and transverse magneto-optical Kerr effects under oblique light incidence and of magneto-optical phenomena under near-normal light incidence demonstrate that the corrugated structure surface leads to optical and magneto-optical anisotropies. The magnetization of such structures occurs via coherent magnetization rotation over a wide magnetic-field range. The magnetic anisotropy of these structures is described using a Gaussian distribution of easy axes of magnetization in cobalt granules about the direction parallel to the groove direction. The asymmetry of hysteresis loops of the rotation of the plane of polarization detected under oblique and normal light incidence is shown to be related to the contributions to the effective film permittivity that are quadratic in the magnetic moment.     

Influence of quenching rate on the structural, soft magnetic and magnetoimpedance properties of melt-spun Co69Fe7Si14B10 alloy

Melt-spun ribbons of Co₆₉Fe₇Si₁₄B₁₀ alloy have been prepared at different wheel speeds viz. 47, 34 and 17 m/s and investigated for structural and magnetic properties. Degree of amorphicity in the as-spun ribbons is found to increase with wheel speed. Amorphous phase crystallizes in two stages producing Co₂Si, Co₂B and CoSi phases on annealing. Increase in wheel speed improves soft magnetic and magnetoimpedance properties due to decrease in perpendicular anisotropy which is associated with stripe domain formation. On annealing soft magnetic properties and magnetoimpedance deteriorate due to the formation of crystalline phases.     

Domain wall oscillations in magnetic garnet films

Domain wall oscillations in magnetic garnet films have been observed in the stripe lattice and in the bubble lattice for applied in-plane magnetic fields approaching the saturation limit of the film. Observations are reported in (111) and (001) oriented films. An effective domain wall mass model is developed which allows the variation of the azimuthal angle of the spins in a moving wall when an in-plane field is applied in the plane of the wall. The new model gives results which are in much better agreement with the experimental results than previous models. Reasonable agreement is also observed between theory and experiment when the cubic anisotropy is included. Experimental evidence of the Hubert wall structure and its change for in-plane fields less than 8M is also reported.     

Thickness dependence of magnetic anisotropic properties of FeCoNd films

The magnetic FeCoNd films with thickness (t) from 50 to 166 nm were fabricated by RF magnetron co-sputtering at ambient condition. The amorphous structures of all of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. A spin reorientation transition from in-plane single domain state to out-of-plane stripe domain state was observed as a function of t. When t is below a critical thickness, magnetic moments lie in the film plane corresponding to in-plane single domain state because of the strong demagnetization energy. However, when t is increased, out-of-plane stripe domain structure was developed due to a dominated perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Scanning electron microscopy data indicate that the perpendicular anisotropy, which is responsible for the formation of stripe domains, may result from the shape effect of the columnar growth of the FeCo grains.     

Magneto-optical studies on ferromagnetic stripe domains in K2CuF4

Ferromagnetic stripe domains are observed in K₂CuF₄ below T_c=6.19 K by use of Faraday rotation (FR). They are about 4 μm wide and lie parallel to the c-planes. They are due to a very small intraplanar anisotropy field as a result of the minute orthorhombic lattice distortion observed by Hidaka and Walker. A stripe domain model, including closure domains for complete demagnetization, is in accordance with the experimental observations if the anisotropy fields H^out_A=1.4kOe and Hⁱⁿ_A=0.1 Oe are introduced. Long-range order, presumably induced by interplanar exchange, is a accompanied by 3d Ising critical behavior as verified by critical exponents obtained from different magneto-optical measurements (α=0.07, β=0.33 and δ=4.6). Changes of the domain structure, of the ac-plane FR, and of the ac-plane linear birefringence due to a transverse magnetic field H 6 a are discussed. A non-vanishing internal field is preceded by a domain instability. The compatibility of the domain structure with neutron scattering results of Hirakawa and Yoshizawa is discussed.     

Magnetization anisotropy of the Tm- and Fe-subsystems in Tm2Fe17

Magnetic and neutron diffraction measurements were carried out in order to study the spontaneous and induced spin-reorientation (SR) transition of the “easy axis–easy plane” type in the poly and single-crystalline samples of the hexagonal Tm₂Fe₁₇. We have determined the temperature dependence of the lattice parameters and the angle between the c-axis and the magnetic moment of the Tm-subsystem. We also find that the SR transition is accompanied by a large (about 20%) magnetization change of the Tm subsystem. In order to induce such a SR transition with the external magnetic field, μ₀H_cr=5 T is necessary to be applied along the hard-magnetization direction (the a-axis) at 4.2 K. The H_cr value decreases with an increasing temperature. The magnetization measurements demonstrate that at 10 K the saturation magnetization along the easy-magnetization direction (the c-axis) is smaller than that along the hard-magnetization direction. Based on this observation, we believe that Fe-subsystem of Tm₂Fe₁₇ is likely to have magnetization anisotropy.     

Phase diagram of a surface superconductor in parallel magnetic field

The universal phase diagram of a 2D surface superconductor with generic Rashba interaction in a parallel magnetic field is found. In addition to the uniform BCS state, we find two inhomogeneous superconductive states, the stripe phase with Δ (r) ∝ cos(Qr) at high magnetic fields, and a new “helical” phase with Δ(r) ∝ exp(iQr) which intervenes between the BCS state and stripe phase at an intermediate magnetic field and temperature. We prove that the ground state for helical phase carries no current.     

Anisotropy and relaxation processes of uniaxially oriented CoFe2O4 nanoparticles dispersed in PDMS

When a uniaxial magnetic field is applied to a non-magnetic dispersive medium filled with magnetic nanoparticles, they auto-assemble into thin needles parallel to the field direction, due to the strong dipolar interaction among them. We have prepared in this way magnetically oriented nanocomposites of nanometer-size CoFe₂O₄ particles in a polydimethylsiloxane polymer matrix, with 10% w/w of magnetic particles. We present the characteristic magnetic relaxation curves measured after the application of a magnetic field forming an angle α with respect to the needle direction. We show that the magnetic viscosity (calculated from the logarithmic relaxation curves) as a function of α presents a minimum at α=0, indicating slower relaxation processes associated with this configuration of fields. The results seems to point out that the local magnetic anisotropy of the nanoparticles is oriented along the needles, resulting in the macroscopic magnetic anisotropy observed in our measurements.     

Influence of the film thickness and additional elements (Al,O, and N) on the properties of FeCo film structures

The magnetic properties and domain structure of FeCoAlON thin films with thicknesses varying from 55 to 550 nm have been studied, and conditions favoring preparation of FeCoAlON films with uniaxial anisotropy in the direction normal to the film plane, which is required for designing “perpendicular” super-high-density information recording, have been established. In FeCoAlON films with a thickness up to 300 nm, the domain structure consists of cross-linked domain walls, because strong demagnetizing field suppresses formation of stripe domains. After the film thickness has reached 320 nm, cross-linked domain walls transform into stripe domains, with uniaxial anisotropy in the film plane disappearing, to become replaced by uniaxial anisotropy in the direction normal to the film plane, which can be assigned to magnetoelastic stresses induced by nitrogen atoms filling up interstitial space in the (110) plane. A further increase in the film thickness (up to 550 nm) leads to a rotational anisotropy due to the increase of nitrogen concentration in interstitials and the increase of magnetoelastic stresses.     

Magnetic domain structures and magnetotransport properties in Co-Ag granular thin films

The magnetic microstructures and magnetotransport properties in granular Co_xAg_1-x films with 17%≤x≤62% were studied. Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) observations showed the presence of magnetic stripe domains in as-deposited samples with x≥45% and the evolution of the magnetic domain patterns to in-plane domains with annealing. A perpendicular magnetic anisotropy as high as about 8×10⁵ ergs/cc for as-deposited Co₆₂Ag₃₈ and about 6×10⁵ ergs/cc for as-deposited Co₄₅Ag₅₅ was observed by magnetization and torque measurements. With increasing annealing temperature, the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy became negative. The origin of the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy may be attributed to a rhombohedral distortion of the cubic cell due to residual substrate-film stresses. The magnetic stripe domains are the consequence of the interplay of the indirect or direct exchange, perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and dipolar interactions. Finally, magnetoresistance (MR) curves displayed training behaviours and different shapes when measured with different configurations (parallel, transverse and perpendicular). It is proposed that the existence and the evolution of the magnetic domain structures strongly affect the magnetotransport properties due to the extra contribution of the electron scattering at the domain walls. Furthermore, an anisotropic MR also contributes to the overall MR curves. Received: 2 March 2000 / Accepted: 28 March 2000 / Published online: 23 May 2001     

Surface diffusion of Pd and Au on W single crystal planes: II. Anisotropy of Pd surface diffusion due to the influence of substrate structure

Large anisotropy effects have been observed for the spreading of Pd on W single crystal planes exhibiting regular step structures. The spreading rate was studied as function of step density and step direction at temperatures around 1000 K. The terraces had always (110) orientation. Step densities as low as 3.3 × 10⁴cm^?1 corresponding to an average terrace width of 3000 Å already cause enhanced spreading rates parallel to the step direction. Steps parallel to the [001] direction showed the largest promoting action. The rate perpendicular to steps does not depend markedly on step density. The diffusion behaviour on the “step free” (110) plane turned out to be isotropic. A model is proposed which assumes the mass transport to occur in the second Pd layer. The increase of the diffusion rate along steps is correlated with the much larger density of diffusing atoms in step sites as compared to terrace sites due to the difference in binding energy.     

High rotatable magnetic anisotropy in MnBi thin films

The variations of the structural and magnetic properties of Bi/Mn/Bi and Mn/Bi/Mn trilayer film systems of equiatomic composition in the process of vacuum annealing are studied. The annealing of Bi/Mn/Bi films at a temperature of 270°C for an hour results in the synthesis of the well-studied highly oriented low-temperature LT-MnBi(001) phase with the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy K _u ～ 1.1 × 10⁷ erg/cm³ and coercivity H _C ～ 1.5 kOe. In contrast to Bi/Mn/Bi, polycrystalline LT-MnBi nanoclusters are formed in Mn/Bi/Mn films under the same annealing conditions. A high rotatable magnetic anisotropy exceeding the shape anisotropy is detected in the films under consideration: the easy axis of anisotropy with the inclusion of the delay angle in magnetic fields above the coercivity H &gt; H _C = 9.0 kOe can be oriented in any spatial direction. It is shown that the nature of rotatable magnetic anisotropy is due to the structural coexistence of epitaxially coupled LT-MnBi and QHTP-Mn_1.08Bi phases. The reported experimental results indicate the existence of a new class of ferromagnetic film media with the spatially tunable easy axis.