Model of magnetization in thin magnetic films with one domain and two-domain basic structures

The magnetization processes in thin magnetic films are described by a model analysing the behaviour of one domain and two-domain basic structures (BS) in the applied magnetic field. These structures include the film areas with nearly constant crystal and magnetic parameters. The minimum of BS free energy including the energy in the internal magnetic field, the energy of the induced anisotropy and the domain-wall energy are taken into account. The initial and hysteresis curves of the sample depend on the function of distribution for the BSs are calculated. A good qualitative agreement with the results of other authors is observed if the films consists of one-domain or two-domain BS only. Our experimental data give also some support of the model.     

Stability of the magnetic domain structure of nanoparticle thin films against external fields

We investigate the effect of external magnetic fields on the magnetic structure of thin films from magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) with dipolar interaction. Such fields are present, for example, if samples are scanned with magnetic probes. Numerical simulations and experimental magnetic force microscopy (MFM) studies are presented. Numerically, we have calculated the magnetization pattern of single-layer and multilayer MNP thin films. The calculations show that unperturbed single-layer MNP films have an in-plane orientation of the magnetization with a flux-closure-domain pattern. An external field generated by a point dipole above the film induces locally an out-of-plane configuration of the magnetization. In the corresponding MFM images, the domain pattern in the film is erased and a stripe-like contrast enhancement at the edges appears. Multilayer films are found to be more robust against external fields than monolayers.     

Electrical and magnetic properties of CoFeAlO thin films

Influences of oxygen-partial pressure and annealing on the electrical and magnetic properties of CoFeAlO thin films were systematically investigated by means of resistivity, permeability, magnetization and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements. It was found that, with increasing oxygen-partial pressure or under annealing, the electrical resistivity of the film increased and the magnetic softness decreased, which is attributed to the microstructural change of the film. Interestingly, an as-deposited Co_45.30Fe_20.65Al_19.34O_14.71 film was found to exhibit an inverted hysteresis loop with negative coercivity, and this peculiar phenomenon disappeared upon effects of oxygen-partial pressure and annealing. It was also found that the as-deposited films owned a narrow FMR line width that increased with increasing oxygen-partial pressure or under annealing.     

Cationic behavior and the related magnetic and magnetotransport properties of manganese ferrite thin films

Manganese ferrite (Mn_xFe_3−xO₄) thin films have been prepared by a sol–gel method. The samples (x≤1.25) are polycrystalline containing well-defined grains and maintain cubic spinel structure with increasing lattice constant with x. The substituting Mn ions were found to have multi-valence, +2 and +3, by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The saturation magnetization of the Mn-substituted films measured by vibrating sample magnetometry was found to increase from that of Fe₃O₄ at low x and then gradually decreases as x increases further. Such magnetic behavior can be explained in terms of the dominance of Mn²⁺ species over Mn³⁺ at low x and the gradual decrease in the population ratio Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺ as x increases. The observed decrease in the coercivity with increasing x implies the increase in octahedral Mn²⁺ population. The Mn-substituted samples exhibit magnetoresistance (MR) effect the maximum intensity of which is gradually reduced with x from that of Fe₃O₄. All samples show increasing MR with increasing external field (H), while their magnetization curves start to saturate near H=2 kOe. Such increasing MR with H can be explained in terms of the tunneling of spin-polarized carriers across grain boundaries. The reduction in the MR intensity with x can be partly explained in terms of the decrease in spin-polarized carrier density associated with octahedral occupation of Mn²⁺ ions.     

Electrical and magnetic properties of RE-doped ZnO thin films (RE = Gd, Nd)

Due to the small magnetic moments observed for 3d transition metals in ZnO [M. Diaconu, H. Schmidt, H. Hochmuth, M. Lorenz, G. Benndorf, J. Lenzner, D. Spemann, A. Setzer, K.W. Nielsen, P. Esquinazi, M. Grundmann, Thin Solid Films 486 (2005) 117], there is still space for optimizing ZnO-based diluted magnetic semiconductors for spintronics applications. Motivated by the observation of magnetic moments as high as 4000μ_B/Gd atom in GaN:Gd [S. Dhar, O. Brandt, M. Ramsteiner, V.F. Sapega, K.H. Ploog, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96 (2005) 037205], we investigated ZnO films doped with 0.01, 0.1 or 1 at.% rare earth (RE) metals. The films, with thicknesses between 20 nm and 1 μm, have been grown by pulsed laser deposition on a-plane sapphire or fused silica substrates.The homogenous incorporation of the RE ions in ZnO was investigated by combined Rutherford backscattering and particle induced X-ray emission measurements. Hall measurements revealed an unexpected dependence of the electron concentration on film thickness, proving a non-uniform distribution of electrically active defects. Magnetotransport measurements at different temperatures were performed to study the magnetoresistance and the presence of the anomalous Hall effect. Large negative magnetoresistance was obtained at 5 K, while no anomalous Hall effect was observed. These results indicate that there are no exchange interactions between the RE ions.     

高电阻率多层纳米颗粒膜软磁特性及微波磁导率

研究了应用于微波频段的多层纳米颗粒膜的电阻率、软磁特性和微波磁导率.采用多次顺序沉积Co₄₀Fe₄₀B₂₀和SiO₂薄层制备了薄膜.在100kA/m均匀面内磁场经过250℃真空退火2h,制备的Co₄₀Fe₄₀B₂₀/SiO₂多层膜具有难轴矫顽力为210A/m、饱和磁化强度为838.75kA/m、电阻率为2.06×10^{3关键词： 纳米颗粒膜 电阻率 软磁特性 微波磁导率}     

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.     

Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of biocompatible magnetic fluids: A comparative analysis

The present study provides a comparative analysis of the size dispersity of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) within magnetic fluids as obtained from atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Whereas the mean particle diameter obtained from the AFM data presented a reduction of about 34% as compared to the value obtained from the TEM data, the standard deviation obtained from the AFM data is twice the value found from the TEM data. Similarities and differences in the size dispersity parameters are discussed in terms of sample preparation and tip characteristics. A two-dimensional mode for the deposition of the MNPs on top of the mica substrate is discussed as well.     

Microstructure and magnetic properties of FeRh thin films with Pt doping

In this paper,the structure and magnetic properties of FeRh alloy thin films with a small amount of Pt doping fabricated onto a glass substrate by sputtering are investigated systematically.XRD results show that the diffraction pattern of as-deposited film exhibits only nonmagnetic γ phase.After annealing,the disordered γ phase transforms to an ordered α' phase.The temperature dependence of saturation magnetization of different annealing times and Pt contents are characterized.The phase transition temperatu...     

条形畴结构的FeCoAlON薄膜磁性的研究

用磁控射频溅射法制备了FeCoAlON薄膜, 研究了Al-O和N元素的添加对FeCo合金薄膜的软磁性的影响. 研究结果表明: 随着Al, O, N元素添加量的增加, 薄膜微结构从多晶转化到纳米晶再转化到非晶态, 薄膜表现为软磁性; 在N的含量较高时, 薄膜呈现条形畴结构, 本文对条形畴结构出现的机理和条件作了详细讨论, 并发现具有条形畴结构的薄膜的磁导率频率特性具有多峰共振的特点. 关键词： 铁钴基合金 薄膜 条形畴     

Amorphous Fe–Mg alloy thin films: magnetic properties and atomic vibrational dynamics

Amorphous (a-) Fe _x Mg_1?x alloys are interesting materials for the investigation of non-Debye-like low-energy vibrational excitations. We have prepared a-Fe _x Mg_1?x alloy thin films (0.3 ≤ × ≤0.7) by vapour quenching. The amorphous state was confirmed by conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy between 4.2–300 K, and the x- and temperature-dependence of the isomer shift and hyperfine magnetic field was measured. For x= 0.6 and 0.7, magnetic ordering occurs below ~150 K. The atomic vibrational density of states, g(E), was determined by nuclear resonant inelastic scattering, providing clear evidence for the non-Debye-like low-energy vibrational excitations.     

Fabrication and properties of Li-doped ZnCoO diluted magnetic semiconductor thin films

Li-doped ZnCoO (ZnCoO:Li) diluted magnetic semiconductor thin films were prepared on SiO₂ substrates by pulsed laser deposition. In ZnCoO:Li films, Co²⁺ substituted Zn²⁺ and Li occupied the interstitial sites behaving as donors. The ZnCoO:Li films are of high electron concentration in the 10²⁰ cm⁻³ order and acceptable crystal quality with a hexagonal wurtzite structure. No cluster, precipitate, or second phase was found from the X-ray diffraction pattern and Co k-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure measurements. The sp-d exchange interactions between the band electrons and the localized d electrons of Co ions substituting Zn ions were observed. The magnetization of ZnCoO:Li film is 0.61 μB/Co, higher than that of the ZnCoO film (0.49 μB/Co). The enhanced defect density and electron concentration due to the introduced Li donors may answer for the improvement of ferromagnetism at room temperature.     

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.     

Effect of a high magnetic field on the morphology and magnetic properties of the MnBi compound during the Mn1.08Bi-MnBi phase transformation process

Effect of a 10 T high magnetic field on the morphology and magnetic properties of the MnBi compounds during the Mn_1.08Bi-MnBi phase transformation has been investigated. Results indicate that the field has split the MnBi crystal along the (0 0 1)-crystal plane during the Mn_1.08Bi-MnBi phase transformation process and the split MnBi crystals align and aggregate along the magnetic field direction. Along with the change of the MnBi phase morphology, the magnetic property changes greatly. Indeed, with the alignment and aggregation of the spit MnBi phases, the saturation magnetization M_s and the magnetic susceptibility χ increase, and the coercive field H_c and the remnant magnetization M_r decrease. This implies that a high magnetic field may have caused the magnetic property of the MnBi phase to transform towards soft magnetism. Above results may be attributed to the enhancement of the magnetization and the Mn_1.08Bi-MnBi phase transformation in a high magnetic field.     

强磁场对不同厚度Fe-Ni纳米多晶薄膜的生长过程及磁性能的影响

有无6 T强磁场条件下, 利用分子束气相沉积方法制备了21 nm和235 nm厚的Fe-Ni纳米多晶薄膜. 研究发现, 0 T时, 21 nm厚的薄膜是晶粒堆叠而成, 晶粒尺寸为6–7 nm; 6 T时, 21 nm厚的薄膜首先在基片表面形成了晶粒相互连接的5 nm平坦层, 晶粒沿基片表面拉长, 随后以6–7 nm尺寸的晶粒堆叠而成; 0 T时, 235 nm厚度的薄膜生长初期平均晶粒尺寸为3.6 nm, 生长中期平均晶粒尺寸为5.6 nm, 生长末期薄膜近似柱状方式生长, 晶粒沿生长方向拉长; 6 T时, 235 nm厚度的薄膜在基片表面也形成了晶粒相互连接的5 nm平坦层, 晶粒沿基片表面拉长, 随后以尺寸均匀的6.1 nm晶粒堆叠而成; 而且, 6 T强磁场使得不同厚度薄膜的面外与面内矫顽力都降低.     

Composition influence on the microstructures and magnetic properties of FePt thin films

The Fex Pt 100x (10nm) (x=31-51) thin films are fabricated on Si (100) substrates by using magnetron sputtering. The highly ordered L1 0 FePt phase is obtained after post-annealing at 700℃in Fe 47 Pt 53 thin film. The sample shows good perpendicular anisotropy with a square loop and a linear loop in the out-of-plane and the in-plane direction, respectively. The variations of the magnetic domains are investigated in the films when the content value of Fe changes from 31% to 51%.     

高斯型非均匀应力对铁磁薄膜磁化性质的影响

采用Monte-Carlo方法研究了高斯型非均匀应力对的铁磁薄膜磁化性质的影响.结果表明: 与易轴平行的拉应力和与易轴垂直的压应力能够增大系统的矫顽场, 而与易轴平行的压应力和与易轴垂直的拉应力则会减小系统的矫顽场.在矫顽场增大(减小)的同时, 系统还伴随着剩磁及其矩形度的增大(减小).更有意义的是, 在与易轴平行的压应力或与易轴垂直的拉应力作用下, 在应力的集中区域会出现“易轴旋转”的现象. 这种产生“易轴旋转”的应力集中区域的范围强烈地依赖于应力的强度和分布宽度. 关键词： 铁磁薄膜 非均匀应力 Monte-Carlo方法 磁滞回线     

Interfacial morphology and friction properties of thin PEO and PEO/PAA blend films

The scanning force microscope (SFM) was used to investigate morphology of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) blend. The effect of solvent and dewetting in surface structure of PEO film was reported. The results manifested that the crystallization of PEO could be suppressed completely in ultrathin region via using chloroform as a solvent, and the branched-like crystallization was recovered after dewetting. Also, the effect of thickness, the ratio of PEO/PAA and dewetting in surface morphology of PEO-PAA blend films were investigated. These results showed that the crystallization was highly dependent on the ratio of PEO/PAA and the thickness of blend film. Furthermore, we assembled the PEO/PAA layer-by-layer film by spin-casting method for the first time, which exhibited highly efficiency. As a complementary tool, we also used lateral force microscopy (LFM) to explore surface information of these films. The result was indicative of interfacial constraints in ultrathin region, and also was supported by the results showing the spin-casting PEO/PAA blends rather than heterogeneous mixture.     

Structural and some magnetic properties of manganese-substituted lithium ferrites

The structural and magnetic properties of Mn-substituted lithium ferrites having the general formula Li_0.5−0.5xMn_xFe_2.5−0.5xO₄ (where x=0.0–1.0) prepared by the standard ceramic technique have been studied. Single phase cubic structure is confirmed by X-ray diffractometer. This result demonstrates that the samples are homogeneous, and the sharp peaks reveal that the samples are in crystalline form. The lattice parameter ‘a’ and average grain diameter ‘D’ increase with increasing Mn²⁺ ion substitution. The saturation magnetization and the experimental magnetic moment are found to increase with manganese up to x=0.5 and then tends to decrease for x>0.5. The increase in magnetic moment with manganese is attributed to Neel's two sublattice model according to which the magnetic moment is the vector sum of lattice magnetic moment. The decrease in magnetization for x>0.5 obeys the Yafet–Kittel (Y–K) model. The increase in Y–K angles for x≥0.5 indicates the increased favor for triangle spin arrangements on B-sites. This suggests the existence of canted spin structure in the ferrite system with higher content of Mn. Hystersis loops were measured. The initial permeability μ_i was measured as a function of temperature.     

Comparison of the soft magnetic properties of permalloy and conetic thin films

The soft magnetic properties of the substrate/[non-buffer or buffer Ta]/[permalloy (Ni₈₀Fe₂₀) or conetic (Ni₇₇Fe₁₄Cu₅Mo₄)]/Ta prepared by ion beam sputter deposition are investigated. The value of the surface resistance of the conetic film is twice as high as that of the permalloy film. The value of the coercivity and magnetic susceptibility of the conetic film decreased by 25% and doubled relative to that of the permalloy film. The coercivity, with a value of 0.12 Oe, and the magnetic susceptibility, with a value of 1.2×10⁴ for the conetic film, are suitable for soft magnetic biosensor applications.