NITROGEN DIFFUSION AND NITRIDE FORMATION DURING AND AFTER IMPLANTATION IN NI FE BILAYERS/

At relatively low temperatures (room temperature and 200 degrees C) ni trogen was introduced into an iron layer underneath a top layer of nic kel. This was done by implanting the nitrogen into the Ni layer. It wa s observed that subsequently part of the N diffuses into the Fe layer. The concentration depth profiles of N in the Ni/Fe bilayers were reco rded with the nuclear reaction analysis technique using the N-15(p,alp ha)C-12 reaction at E(p)=1.02MeV. From these depth profiles, measured as a function of implantation dose, implantation temperature and annea l temperature, it was suggested that nitrides are formed in iron. To o ur knowledge, nitride formation has not been reported before at such l ow temperatures in the absence of radiation damage.