Magneto-optical properties of amorphous multilayer films

The magneto-optical properties of [{(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _Z (Al₂O₃)_100−Z } _X /(α-Si) _Y ]₄₀ multilayer nanoheterostructures with different thicknesses of granular ferromagnetic layers and semiconductor interlayers have been investigated. It is found that the composition layer thickness and the concentration of the ferromagnetic component affect significantly the Si interlayer formation.     

Morphology and the magnetic and conducting properties of heterogeneous layered magnetic structures [(Co45Fe45Zr10)35(Al2O3)65/a-Si:H]36

The morphology and the magnetic and conducting properties of an amorphous multilayer nanosystem [(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)₃₅(Al₂O₃)₆₅/a-Si:H]₃₆ consisting of (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)₃₅(Al₂O₃)₆₅ magnetic layers and semiconducting hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) layers of various thicknesses have been studied. Using a combination of methods (including polarized neutron reflectometry and grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering), it is shown that the magnetic and electrical properties of these multilayer structures are determined by their morphology. It is established that the magnetization and electric resistance of a sample is a nonmonotonic function of the a-Si:H layer thickness. Both characteristics are at a minimum for a structure with a semiconductor layer thickness of 0.4 nm. Samples with silicon layer thicknesses below 0.4 nm represent a three-dimensional structure of Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀ grains weakly ordered in space, while in samples with silicon layer thicknesses above 0.4 nm, these grains are packed in layers alternating in the vertical direction. The average lateral distance between nanoparticles in the layer plane has been determined, from which the dimensions of metal grains in each sample have been estimated.     

Study of the [(Co45Fe45Zr10)x(Al2O3)100−x/a-Si:H]m multilayer nanostructure by polarized neutron reflectometry

Polarized neutron reflectometry was used to investigate the amorphous multilayer nanostructures [(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100−x/a-Si:H]_m, whose magnetic properties are dependent on the concentration of the magnetic constituent (x=34, 47 and 60 at%) as well as on the thicknesses of the metal-dielectric (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100−x and semiconductor a-Si:H layers. The average magnetization of the individual magnetic layer is found to be inhomogeneous with the magnetically active central part and two magnetically dead parts at the interfaces.     

Influence of oxidized interlayers on magnetic properties of multilayer films based on amorphous ferromagnet–dielectric nanocomposites

Films of composites (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x, (Co₈₄Nb₁₄Ta₂)_x(SiO₂)_100–x, (Co₄₁Fe₃₉B₂₀)_x(SiO₂)_100–x and multilayer heterogeneous composite–composite structures {[(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x]/[(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x + N₂]}_n, {[(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x]/[(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x + O₂]}_n, {[(Co₄₁Fe₃₉B₂₀)_x(SiO₂)_100–x]/[(Co₄₁Fe₃₉B₂₀)_x(SiO₂)_100–x + O₂]}_n, and {[(Co₈₄Nb₁₄Ta₂)_x(SiO₂)_100–x]/[(Co₈₄Nb₁₄Ta₂)_x(SiO₂)_100–x + O₂]}_n have been deposited using the ionbeam sputtering method with a cyclic supply of reaction gases during deposition. The structure and magnetic properties of the films have been studied. It has been shown that the introduction of an oxidized interlayer makes it possible to suppress the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in the (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_100–x composite with the metallic phase concentration higher than the percolation threshold.     

Effect of nanoparticle size on magnetic damping parameter in Co92Zr8 soft magnetic films

Co₉₂Zr₈(50 nm)/Ag(x) soft magnetic films have been prepared on Si (111) substrates by oblique sputtering at 45°. Nanoparticle size of Co₉₂Zr₈ soft magnetic films can be tuned by thickening Ag buffer layer from 9 nm to 96 nm. The static and dynamic magnetic properties show great dependence on Ag buffer layer thickness. The coercivity and effective damping parameter of Co₉₂Zr₈ films increase with thickening Ag buffer layer. The intrinsic and extrinsic parts of damping were extracted from the effective damping parameter. For x=96 nm film, the extrinsic damping parameter is 0.028, which is significantly larger than 0.004 for x=9 nm film. The origin of the enhancement of extrinsic damping can be explained by increased inhomogeneity of anisotropy. Therefore, it is an effective method to tailor magnetic damping parameter of thin magnetic films, which is desirable for high frequency application.     

Electrical and magnetic properties of [(CoFeZr)x(Al2O3)1 ? x/(α-SiH)]n multilayer structures

The concentration dependences of the electrical resistivity and complex permeability of [“(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _x (Al₂O₃)_{100 − x} ”/“α-Si: H”] _n multilayer structures and (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _x (Al₂O₃)_{100 − x} composites have been studied. It has been established that introduction of a semiconductor interlayer into the (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _x (Al₂O₃)_{100 − x} composites substantially decreases the electrical resistivity of [“(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _x (Al₂O₃)_{100 − x} ”/“α-Si: H”] _n multilayer structures. The concentration dependences of the real and imaginary parts of the complex permeability of the [“(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _x (Al₂O₃)_{100 − x} ”/“α-Si: H”] _n nanomultilayer structures substantially differ from those of the (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _x (Al₂O₃)_{100 − x} composites. The real part of the complex permeability of the [“(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _x (Al₂O₃)_{100 − x} ”/“α-Si: H”] _n nanomultilayer structures follows the curve with a minimum near the percolation threshold of the composite, and the imaginary part smoothly decreases as the ferromagnetic phase concentration increases. The results obtained are explained by the increase in the bifurcation temperature due to the conduction electrons of the semiconductor interlayer, which favor magnetic ordering of ferromagnetic grains.     

Influence of Si on the magnetic properties of multilayer nanostructures with composite magnetic layers

The static and dynamic properties of multilayer structures [(Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _m (Al₂O₃)_{100 − x} ] _x /(a-Si) _y with various magnetic phase concentrations and for different thicknesses x and y were measured. It was shown that for samples with comparatively thick composite layers and thin interlayers (x/y > 8), the silicides that form play no significant role and the magnetic properties are determined by the composites. With an increase in the thickness of the interlayers, more granules form silicides. This reduces the concentration of the magnetic phase, influencing the samples’ resonance fields and magnetization.     

High-temperature background of internal friction in (Co45Fe45Zr10) x (Al2O3)100 − x , Co x (CaF2)100 − x , and Co x (PZT)100 − x nanocomposites

The elastic (G) and inelastic (Q ^?1) properties of (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _x (Al₂O₃)_{100 ? x} , Co _x (CaF₂)_{100 ? x} , and Co _x (PZT)_{100 ? x} (x = 23–76 at %) nanocomposites obtained by ion-beam sputtering are studied in the temperature range 300–900 K. A significant rise in the Q Q ^?1 (T) curve is observed at temperatures above 650 K, which is attributed to thermally activated migration of point defects under the conditions of confined geometry.     

XANES study of interatomic interactions in (CoFeZr)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> (SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> nanocomposites

Analysis of the X-ray absorption near-edge structure of (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)x(SiO₂)_1–x nanocomposites has shown the presence of interaction between atoms of the metallic and dielectric components in the nanocomposite. In this process, d-metal ions (Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺) play the most active role. They interact with oxygen ions of the dielectric component and form not only Fe₂O₃ × CoO nanoferrites but also silicates of d metals.     

XANES investigations of interatomic interactions in multilayered nanostructures (Co45Fe45Zr10/a-Si)40 and (Co45Fe45Zr10/SiO2)32

The electronic structure and phase composition of amorphous multilayered nanostructures (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀/a-Si)₄₀ and (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀/SiO₂)₃₂ have been investigated by means of the X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) technique, which is the most sensitive and useful in investigation of the chemical environment of elements in multicomponent nanostructures. The fact of interatomic interactions leading to the formation of composite “nanoferrite”-like FeO · Fe₂O₃ · ZrO₂(CoO) was established. Also it was shown that in the mentioned nanoferrite there is an exchange interaction which involves not only two- and three-charged ions of iron (Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺) but also ions like Zr⁴⁺ and, partially, Co²⁺. The transformation of the thin structure of L _2,3-ranges for the iron component of multilayered nanostructures in XANES spectra reflects on the change of the ratio of di- and trivalent ions in iron oxides as a part of the composite “nanoferrite.”     

Optical,magneto-optical and mössbauer spectroscopy on Co3+ substituted cobalt ferrite Co2+Fe2−xCo3+xO4(0 ⩽ x ⩽ 2)

The magneto-optical spectra of Co_1+xFe_2?xO₄ show with increasing Co³⁺ content an increasing intensity of the 4A₂ ? 4T₁(F) and 4A₂ ? 4T₁(P) transition of Co²⁺ at 0.8 and 2.0 eV. A decrease in the Co²⁺-Fe³⁺ charge transfer transitions on octahedral sites is found. In the optical spectra a strong increase in optical absorption is found with dominant transitions at 0.8, 1.6 and 2.6 eV due to Co³⁺ crystal field transitions on octahedral sites and a Co²⁺-Co³⁺ charge transfer. Conversion Electron Mössbauer Spectroscopy has been used to determine the cation distribution in the surface layer of the samples. The results indicate a shift of Co²⁺ from octahedral to tetrahedral sites when Co³⁺ is substituted in CoFe₂O₄. This results in enhanced optical absorption, enhanced magneto-optical effects and a lower Curie temperature.     

The effect of the sputtering process ambient on the magnetic state and phase composition of the film nanocomposites (Fe0.45Co0.45Zr0.10) x (Al2O3)1−x

The effect of oxygen-containing ambient arising at sputtering of granular nanocomposites (Fe_0.45Co_0.45Zr_0.10) _x (Al₂O₃)_1−x (30 at.%≤x≤65 at.%) on their magnetic state and phase composition has been investigated. It was shown that the presence of oxygen resulted in the formation of oxide shells preventing the ferromagnetic interaction between Co_0.45Fe_0.45Zr_0.10 nanoparticles and also the formation of metallic percolative net beyond the percolation threshold (as opposed to the films prepared in pure argon atmosphere).     

Electrical properties of amorphous (Co45Fe45Zr10)x(Al2O3)1?x nanocomposites

The electrical properties of (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀)_x(Al₂O₃)_1−x granular nanocomposites have been studied. The concentration dependences of electrical resistivity are S-shaped (in accordance with the percolation theory of conduction) with a threshold at a metallic component concentration of ∼41 at. %. An analysis of the temperature behavior carried out in the range 300–973 K revealed that structural relaxation and crystallization of the amorphous phase are accompanied by a decrease in the electrical resistivity of the composites above the percolation threshold and by its increase below the percolation threshold. For metallic phase concentrations x<41 at. %, variable range hopping conduction over localized states near the Fermi level was found to be dominant at low temperatures (77–180 K). A further increase in temperature brings about a crossover of the conduction mechanism from Mott’s law ln(σ) ∝ (1/T)^1/4 to ln(σ) ∝ (1/T)^1/2. A model of inelastic resonance tunneling over a chain of localized states of the dielectric matrix was used to find the average number of localized states involved in the charge transport between metallic grains. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 46, No. 11, 2004, pp. 2076–2082. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2004 by Kalinin, Remizov, Sitnikov.     

X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigations of atomic interactions in surface layers of multilayered nanostructures (Co45Fe45Zr10/a-Si)40 and (Co45Fe45Zr10/SiO2)32

The interatomic interaction and chemical state of elements in amorphous multilayered (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀/a-Si)₄₀ and (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀/SiO₂)₃₂ nanostructures with different interlayers have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigations have demonstrated that, in surface layers of all the studied multilayered structures, the metallic layer components Co, Fe, and Zr are in the oxidized state. The silicon state is found to be identical and close to the state of nonstoichiometric silicon oxide, regardless of the presumed compositions of SiO₂ and a-Si interlayers. After the removal of surface layers of the multilayered structures in the sample preparation chamber by ion etching, the metallic layer components Co, Fe, and Zr are predominantly in the elemental state.     

Superconducting property of Zr–Co and Zr–Co–Al alloys fabricated by rapid solidification

The superconducting property of Zr_(1−x)Co_x (x = 10–50 at.%) alloys and a Zr₅₅Co₃₀Al₁₅ bulk metallic glass fabricated using techniques of rapid solidification was investigated. The Zr₅₅Co₃₀Al₁₅ alloy crystallized by heat treatment in a vacuum atmosphere exhibited superconductivity of T_c,on = 2.4 K. This was attributable to the superconducting property of a crystalline Zr–Co alloy precipitated in the Zr₅₅Co₃₀Al₁₅ alloy. The T_c,on of the crystalline Zr_(1−x)Co_x alloy was sensitive to the Co content. The increase of Co content for the Zr_(1−x)Co_x alloy led to the decrease of T_c,on. The Zr_(1−x)Co_x alloy exhibited superconductivity of a maximum T_c,on = 3.9 K for the Zr₈₀Co₂₀ alloy with superconducting nanocrystal particles embedded in the amorphous matrix.     

Magnetothermopower of nanocomposites in the vicinity of the percolation threshold

The field dependences of the thermopower of composites with Co and Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀ nanoparticles in the Al₂O _n insulator matrix are studied in magnetic fields up to 10 kOe at room temperature with compositions up to the percolation threshold (i.e., in the region where tunnel conductivity takes place). In composites obtained in argon, negative magnetothermopower (i.e., a decrease in the thermopower in strong magnetic fields) is observed, while positive magnetothermopower is observed in composites obtained in the atmosphere of argon and oxygen. It is shown that the theory developed for tunnel magnetothermopower in nanocomposites makes it possible to explain the results on a qualitative level in the case when the local density of electron states at the surface of nanoparticles depends on the sputtering conditions. Nanocomposites CoFeZr _x (Al₂O _n )_100?x ) obtained in argon and nitrogen display a strong asymmetry of magnetothermopower relative to the magnetic field direction; this anisotropy is associated with anisotropy of these nanostructures.     

Magnetic properties of nanocrystalline FeNiCo x ZrB alloys (x=0, 10, 20)

Magnetic properties of amorphous and nanocrystalline Fe₃₁Ni₅₀Zr₇B₁₂, Fe₃₁Ni₄₀Co₁₀Zr₇B₁₂ and Fe₃₁Ni₃₀Co₂₀Zr₇B₁₂ alloys were studied by an unconventional “rf-Mössbauer” technique. Introduction of Co atoms into FeNiZrB alloy leads to a large increase of anisotropy field that suppresses the rf collapse effect. The rf induced crystallization effect observed in Co-containing alloys was attributed to the rf sidebands effect which induced in the alloys mechanical deformations via the magnetostriction. This effect is particularly strong in amorphous alloys and in nanocrystalline alloys containing significant fraction of amorphous matrix and is absent in Co-free alloy.     

The effect of a nonmagnetic Zr layer on the magnetic and magneto-optical properties of Fe/Zr and Fe/Zr/Fe thin-film systems

The magnetic and magneto-optical properties of nanocrystalline Fe/Zr and Fe/Zr/Fe thin-film systems have been studied using the magneto-optical method. The strong effect of Zr layer thickness t _Zr on the magnetic properties of Fe/Zr samples was discovered. It was found that the value of the saturation field of the Fe/Zr/Fe systems oscillates as a function of t _Zr, which is explained by the oscillating character of the exchange interaction between ferromagnetic layers via a Zr spacer with the change in t _Zr. It was established that the values of the transverse Kerr effect depend on the thicknesses of both magnetic and nonmagnetic layers.     

Planar Hall effect and anisotropic magnetoresistance in layered structures Co0.45Fe0.45Zr0.1/a-Si with percolation conduction

Magnetic and magnetotransport properties of multilayered nanostructures Co_0.45Fe_0.45Zr_0.1/a-Si obtained by ion-beam sputtering are investigated. The temperature dependence of the resistance obeys a law of the form R _xx ∝-logT, which is typical of metal-insulator nanocomposites on the metal side of the percolation transition. The magnetoresistance anisotropy effect, as well as the planar Hall effect, is observed for the first time for this type of nanocomposites in the vicinity of the percolation transition. The correlation of these two effects with the transverse (between Hall probes) magnetoresistive effect, which may reach 6–9%, is revealed. A weak negative magnetoresistance of the order of 0.15%, which is observed for subnanometer amorphous silicon layer thicknesses, is attributed to spin-dependent electron transitions between adjacent ferromagnetic layers in the case when the exchange interaction between these layers is of the antiferromagnetic type.