Strain-induced modification of magnetic structure and new magnetic phases in rare-earth epitaxial films

Rare earths exhibit complex magnetic phase diagrams resulting from the competition between various contributions to the magnetic energy: exchange, anisotropy and magnetostriction. The epitaxy of a rare-earth film on a substrate induces (i) a clamping to the substrate and (ii) pseudomorphic strains. Both these effects are shown to lead to modifications of the magnetic properties in (0 0 1)Dy, (0 0 1)Tb and (1 1 0)Eu films. In Dy and Tb films, spectacular variations of the Curie temperature have been evidenced. Additionally, Tb films exhibit a new large wavelength magnetic modulation. In Eu films, one of the helical magnetic domains disappears at low temperature whereas the propagation vectors of the other helices are tilted. The link between structural and magnetic properties is underlined via magnetoelastic models. Moreover, molecular beam epitaxy permits the growth of Sm in a metastable dhcp phase. The magnetic structure of dhcp Sm has been elucidated for the first time. In this review, neutron scattering is shown to be a powerful technique to reveal the magnetic structures of rare-earth films.     

Nonlinear dynamic structure rearrangement of vortexlike domain walls in magnetic films with in-plane anisotropy

The nonlinear dynamic behavior of vortexlike domain walls in magnetic uniaxial films having an in-plane anisotropy was investigated within a rigorous micromagnetic approach in the framework of a two-dimensional magnetization distribution by numerically solving the Landau–Lifshitz equations (with the Gilbert damping parameter) with allowance for all the main interactions, including the dipole–dipole one. The studies were carried out on magnetic soft films with an anisotropy axis lying in their plane in a dc magnetic field parallel to an easy axis and a pulsed magnetic field normal to it. New possibilities for controlling the nonlinear dynamic rearrangement of the internal structure of domain walls and their velocities in fields both above and below the critical field are established. The wall motion in the field above the critical one is nonstationary.     

Tuning stress-induced magnetic anisotropy and high frequency properties of FeCo films deposited on different curvature substrates

It is important to control magnetic anisotropy of ferromagnetic materials. In this work, FeCo thin films are deposited on the curving substrates by electrochemical deposition to adjust the stress-induced magnetic anisotropy. The compressive stress is produced in the as-deposited films after the substrates are flattened. A simplified theoretical model of ferromagnetic resonance is utilized to measure the intrinsic magnetic anisotropy field and saturation magnetization. The results show that the stress-induced magnetic anisotropy and the resonance frequency increase with the increase of substrate curvature. The induced easy axis is perpendicular to the compressive stress direction.     

Recovery of soft magnetic properties of FeNiSm films by Ta interlayer

The magnetic properties of FeNiSm thin films with different thicknesses, different Ta interlayer thicknesses and different numbers of Ta interlayers were investigated. The single layer FeNiSm shows in-plane uniaxial anisotropy at a thickness below critical value, but shows weak perpendicular anisotropy with a stripe domain structure at thickness above the critical value. Experiments indicate that one or more Ta interlayers inserted into thick FeNiSm films with weak perpendicular anisotropy were effective not only in canceling the perpendicular anisotropy, but also in recovering the in-plane uniaxial anisotropy. Blocking of the columnar growth of FeNi grains by the Ta interlayer is considered to be responsible for this spin reorientation phenomenon. Moreover, the magnetization reversal mechanism in FeNiSm films with uniaxial anisotropy can be ascribed to coherent rotation when the applied field is close to the hard axis and to domain-wall unpinning when the applied field is close to the easy axis. The dynamic magnetic properties of FeNiSm films with uniaxial anisotropy were investigated in the frequency range 0.1-5 GHz. The degradation of the soft magnetic properties of magnetic thin films due to the growth of columnar grains can be avoided by insertion of a Ta interlayer.     

Phase composition and magnetic structure in nanocrystalline ferromagnetic Fe–N–O films

The chemical and phase compositions and structure of the Fe–N–O films produced by reactive dc magnetron sputtering (in Ar or Ar + N₂ gas mixture atmospheres) under different conditions (energy parameters of magnetron, residual pressure in the magnetron chamber after preliminary pumping, operating pressure in gas mixture) have been investigated by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometry. Impurity of nitrogen and oxygen, which are present in the sputtered films, participate in the formation of their phase composition and determine its features. Some phenomena inherent in the nanocrystalline films in the metastable state were found. These are the formation of supersaturated bcc interstitial αFe-based solid solution and precipitation of α’ nitrous martensite with bct crystal lattice. The magnetic structure of the Fe–N–O films, which is characterized by the existence of stochastic domains discovered by correlation magnetometry method, is discussed in terms of the random anisotropy model. It was found that two modes of the magnetic anisotropy field of stochastic domains are formed, which determine the existence of two modes of the coercive field found in the magnetic hysteresis loops.     

In plane to out of plane magnetic reorientation transition in partially ordered FePd thin films

It is demonstrated that perpendicular magnetic anisotropy may be obtained with a room temperature growth process in ordered (FePd) alloys. Indeed, using atomic layer by atomic layer epitaxy, a partial chemical ordering into the L1₀ structure is obtained, with a corresponding intermediate perpendicular anisotropy (). These samples provide an appropriate template for the study of the magnetic reorientation from in plane to out of plane magnetization upon layer's thickness increase. VSM, transverse Kerr measurements and magnetic force microscopy have been used in order to determine the relevant magnetic parameters and the occurrence of the reorientation transition. Received 13 October 1998 and Received in final form 5 February 1999     

Structural reasons for the perpendicular anisotropy in ferrospinel single-crystal films

Results of investigations into the perpendicular anisotropy of ferrospinel single crystal films are analyzed. The exchange interaction constants and the contribution of the exchange energy, energy of crystallographic anisotropy, and perpendicular anisotropy to the domain wall energy density are estimated. It is demonstrated that the parameters characterizing the perpendicular anisotropy depend on the chemical composition, degree of structure imperfection, and technological conditions of synthesis. The conclusion is drawn that the perpendicular anisotropy is caused by the magnetic constants of the material, macro- and microstresses, and anisotropy of the crystal shapes.     

Origin of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and evolution of magnetic domain structure of amorphous Pr-TM-B (TM=Fe, Co) films

In this study, the deposition pressure dependence of the compositional ratio, magnetic domain structure, and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) of B-containing PrFe- and PrCo-based films, which are rare-earth-transition-metal (RE-TM) films, was investigated. PrFe- and PrCo-based films were fabricated by magnetron sputtering. The film compositions were controlled in a wide range by varying the deposition pressure. On the basis of experimental results, the residual stress of the films was considered to be the possible origin of their PMA. The films showed strong magneto-optical effects over the entire wavelength range of 300-750 nm. Because of the excellent magnetic and magneto-optical (MO) properties of the films, they have high potential for MO applications at wavelengths of red and blue lasers.     

Measurement of magnetic parameters of nanometer-thick conducting magnetic films using anisotropic magnetoresistive effect

The angular dependences of anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) are measured in conducting ferromagnetic films of nanometer thickness and layered structures containing such films and having the shape of narrow ribbons. These structures are used for preparing spin-dependent magnetic tunnel junctions possessing a giant magnetoresistance. The possibility of determining the main magnetic parameters, which are important for preparing magnetic junctions, by AMR angular measurements is demonstrated experimentally. The magnetic anisotropy axis, the saturating magnetic field, and the coercivity are determined in a 25-nm-thick permalloy (Py) film, in the structures FeMn film (15 nm)-Py film (10 nm) deposited by RF magnetron sputtering on a oxidized silicon substrate, as well as in the structure FeMn (15 nm)-Py (10 nm)-SiC (1.5 nm)-Py (10 nm) deposited on a sitall substrate. It is shown that, under the same conditions of Py films deposition, the magnetic anisotropy axis in the FeMn-Py structure is turned through 90° relative to the anisotropy axis of Py in structures without FeMn layers. The value of the exchange bias fields of the magnetization reversal measured in the structure FeMn (15 nm)-Py (10 nm)-SiC (1.5 nm)-Py (10 nm) by the AMR method is in good agreement with the result of measurement by the inductive method.     

Magnetic properties of cobalt nanowires: Study by polarized SANS

Structural and magnetic properties of two-dimensional spatially ordered system of ferromagnetic cobalt nanowires embedded into Al₂O₃ matrix have been studied using polarized small-angle neutron scattering. A comprehensive analysis of contributions to the scattering intensity was carried out, including nonmagnetic (nuclear) contribution, magnetic contribution depending on the magnetic field, and nuclear-magnetic interference indicating the correlation between the magnetic and nuclear structures. Experiments have revealed an anomalously low value of the magnetic contribution as compared to the nuclear one. This behavior is interpreted in terms of low coherence of the magnetic structure caused by the anisotropy of Co crystallites as compared with the large coherency of nuclear structure of nanowires.     

Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of bcc iron surfaces

Trends in atomic multilayer relaxations, surface energy, electronic work function, and magnetic structure of several low-Miller-index surfaces of iron are investigated employing density functional theory total energy calculations. The calculated topmost layer relaxations reproduce well the experimental contractions and their variation with the surface crystallographic orientation, and surface roughness. The multilayer relaxation sequences correlate with the reduced coordination in surface layers and can be explained in terms of a simple electrostatic picture. The surface energies scale almost linearly with the surface roughness. They agree well with the experimental surface tensions and show a small anisotropy in agreement with predictions based on measurements for other metals. The equilibrium shape of a bcc Fe crystal is determined and discussed. The work function anisotropy is calculated and rationalized in terms of changes in the valence charge distribution. Significantly increased local magnetic moments of atoms in the surface region are determined. The correlation between the anisotropy of the surface magnetic moments and atomic coordination in the outermost layers is demonstrated to follow a simple rule.     

Uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in epitaxial α‐Fe() films

The magnetic anisotropy of epitaxial, high‐index Fe() films is investigated. The strength of the in‐plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy increases monotonically with the inclination angle φ between Fe(001) and Fe(). This increase is demonstrated to be caused by the cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy and not by surface‐ or interface‐related effects.     

Mechanism of Topology Change of Flat Magnetic Structures

The paper investigates the processes of the magnetization reversal of perforated ferromagnetic films with strong anisotropy of the easy-plane type. The investigations have shown that, influenced by a current impulse passing through an antidot, an inhomogeneous magnetic structure is formed, which is accompanied by the localization of a quasiparticle with the +1 topological charge on the antidot and by an emission of a quasiparticle with a –1 charge. It is established that this scenario of the film magnetization reversal underlies a reformation of its inhomogeneous structure also if two or four antidots are present in the film, irrespective of the fact of through which antidots and in which directions the currents are passed. The results of the research obtained by using two independent methods (solving the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equations and analyzing the lattice model) demonstrated good agreement between the two. It is shown that a magnetic film comprising two or four antidots can be used as a memory cell for recording data in the ternary system.     

Magnetization distribution in magnetic films studied with Larmor-encoding

Additional information about the magnetization distribution in magnetic films is obtained with a 3D-polarimetry set-up. A pilot experiment was performed with the neutron polarization aligned perpendicular to the surface of a Fe-film in a magnetic field parallel to its surface. The Larmor-precession in the magnetic field between two current sheets was used to adjust the neutron polarization perpendicular to the sample surface. This new polarization-magnetization configuration was probed with a Fe-film in specular and off-specular scattering. The off-specular scattering is created by the magnetic domain structure of the Fe-film in remanence. The results of specular and off-specular scattering are reproduced by calculations for the configuration of the incoming neutron polarization parallel to the sample surface and the magnetic field and for the configuration of the incoming neutron polarization perpendicular to the sample surface and the magnetic field.     

Effect of the number of iron oxide nanoparticle layers on the magnetic properties of nanocomposite LbL assemblies

Aqueous colloidal suspension of iron oxide nanoparticles has been synthesized. Z-potential of iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized by citric acid was −35±3 mV. Iron oxide nanoparticles have been characterized by the light scattering method and transmission electron microscopy. The polyelectrolyte/iron oxide nanoparticle thin films with different numbers of iron oxide nanoparticle layers have been prepared on the surface of silicon substrates via the layer-by-layer assembly technique. The physical properties and chemical composition of nanocomposite thin films have been studied by atomic force microscopy, magnetic force microscopy, magnetization measurements, Raman spectroscopy. Using the analysis of experimental data it was established, that the magnetic properties of nanocomposite films depended on the number of iron oxide nanoparticle layers, the size of iron oxide nanoparticle aggregates, the distance between aggregates, and the chemical composition of iron oxide nanoparticles embedded into the nanocomposite films. The magnetic permeability of nanocomposite coatings has been calculated. The magnetic permeability values depend on the number of iron oxide nanoparticle layers in nanocomposite film.     

Tailoring magnetism in artificially structured materials: the new frontier

The current standard of electronic devices and data storage media has reached a level such that magnetic materials have to be fabricated on a nanometer scale. In particular, the emerging concept of spintronics, which is based on fact that current carriers have not only charge but also spin, requires the assembling of nanometer-sized magnetic structures with desired magnetic properties. It is this background that motivates scientists and engineers to attempt to grow and characterize magnetic objects at smaller and smaller length scales, from 2D films and multilayers to 1D wires and eventually to 0D dots. In this article, some of the most significant progress in recent years in the effort of growing artificially structured magnetic materials are reviewed. The new structural and magnetic properties of these materials are discussed, with an emphasis on the correlation between structure and magnetism, which also serves as guidance for improving their magnetic properties. The emerging emphasis is on converting the existing knowledge into growing and studying low-dimensional complex materials, which promise to have considerably higher “tuning” ability for desired properties.     

具有条纹磁畴结构的NiFe薄膜的制备与磁各向异性研究

具有条纹磁畴结构的磁性薄膜表现出面内转动磁各向异性,对于解决高频电子器件的方向性问题起着至关重要的作用.本文采用射频磁控溅射的方法,研究了NiFe薄膜的厚度、溅射功率密度、溅射气压等制备工艺参数对条纹磁畴结构、面内静态磁各向异性、面内转动磁各向异性、垂直磁各向异性的影响规律.研究发现,在功率密度15.6 W/cm~2与溅射气压2 mTorr(1 Torr=1.33322×102Pa)下生长的NiFe薄膜,表现出条纹磁畴的临界厚度在250 nm到300 nm之间.厚度为300 nm的薄膜比250 nm薄膜的垂直磁各向异性场增大近一倍,从而磁矩偏离膜面形成条纹磁畴结构,并表现出面内转动磁各向异性.高溅射功率密度可以降低薄膜出现条纹磁畴的临界厚度.在相同功率密度15.6 W/cm~2下生长300 nm的NiFe薄膜,随着溅射气压由2 mTorr增大到9 mTorr,NiFe薄膜的垂直磁各向异性场逐渐由1247.8 Oe(1 Oe=79.5775 A/m)增大到3248.0 Oe,面内转动磁各向异性场由72.5 Oe增大到141.9 Oe,条纹磁畴周期从0.53μm单调减小到0.24μm.NiFe薄膜的断面结构表明柱状晶的形成是表现出条纹磁畴结构的本质原因,高功率密度下低溅射气压有利于柱状晶结构的形成,表现出规整的条纹磁畴结构,高溅射气压会导致柱状晶纤细化,面内转动磁各向异性与面外垂直磁各向异性增强,条纹磁畴结构变得混乱.     

X-ray scattering study on the electric field-induced interfacial magnetic anisotropy modulation at CoFeB / MgO interfaces

The electric field-induced modifications of magnetic anisotropy in CoFeB/MgO systems are studied using X-ray resonant magnetic scattering and magneto-optical Kerr effect. Voltage dependent changes of the magnetic anisotropy of −12.7 fJ/Vm and −8.32 fJ/Vm are observed for Ta/CoFeB/MgO and Hf/CoFeB/MgO systems, respectively. This implies that the interfacial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is reduced (enhanced) when electron density is increased (decreased). X-ray resonant magnetic scattering measurements reveal that the small in-plane magnetic component of the remanent state of CoFeB/MgO systems with weak magnetic anisotropy changes depending on the applied voltage leading to modification of the magnetic anisotropy at the CoFeB/MgO interface.     

Extraordinary Hall effect on Fe-rich amorphous thin films and Fe-rich/Cu multilayers

In this study we investigated the magnetic and transport properties of thin Fe-rich amorphous films and Fe-rich/Cu multilayers. We compared the extraordinary Hall effect in these two types of samples and discussed it in terms of thickness and sample structure. The thicker films exhibited a strong in-plane magnetic anisotropy, and by decreasing film thickness both saturated Hall resistivity and Hall sensitivity increase. A Hall resistivity value of 20 μΩ cm is observed in 100 nm thick Fe-rich films at 12 K and a sensitivity of 1.3 Ω/T is obtained at room temperature. Electrical conductance increases and Hall resistivity decreases when the films are sandwiched with Cu.