STRUCTURE AND MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF FE-RICH VAPOR-QUENCHED FE90-XNIXZR10 THIN-FILMS

The structure and magnetic properties of thin Fe90-xNixZr10 alloy film s with x = 0, 5, and 10 are studied. The structure observed by electro n diffraction and transmission electron microscopy reveals the crystal line phase in as-deposited samples. However, the temperature dependenc e of resistivity suggests the presence of a significant amount of amor phous phase as well. Some new fine-grained structure is observed in th e studied films after annealing. Saturation magnetization and magnetiz ation reversal curves are obtained by the Hall effect, and magnetoopti cal Faraday and Kerr effects, respectively. M(s) depends significantly on the alloy composition and weakly on the heat treatment conditions. Hysteresis loops of the films studied reveal very weak uniaxial in-pl ane anisotropy and undirectional-like anisotropy, the latter leading t o asymmetric loops shifted along the H-axis. The magnetic properties a ppear to be consistent with the structure of the studied samples.