ELECTROPLATED, HIGH H-C COPT FILMS - DELTA-M MAGNETOOPTICAL MEASUREMENTS

Co-rich CoPt and CoPtP alloy thin films were obtained by electrodeposi tion. Addition of a P compound to the electrolyte for CoPt deposition induces P codeposition and improves film hard magnetic properties, rea ching coercive forces up to 5500 Oe, with S = 0.7. To understand the effect of P compound addition, a macroscopic characterization of inter grain interactions in CoPt and CoPtP films of similar composition and structure has been made by the delta M method, using longitudinal Kerr effect as magnetization probe. delta M curves reveal exchange couplin g in CoPt films, while CoPtP films show mainly magnetostatic interacti ons. The creation of single-domain grains with nonmagnetic boundaries is proposed as an explanation for the inhibition of exchange interacti ons in CoPtP films.