PHASE-TRANSFORMATIONS, MAGNETIC AND MAGNETORESISTIVE PROPERTIES OF FECONI-N THIN-FILMS

The saturation magnetization, coercive force, magnetic anisotropy fiel d, resistivity, magnetoresistance and phase transformations of sputter ed Fe15Co20Ni65-N thin films have been investigated. The considerable changes in these properties including formation of a non-magnetic stat e have been found for films deposited at high nitrogen pressure in Ar + N-2 plasma. It is found that vacuum annealing can cause partial reco very of film properties. Both the film thickness and the presence of t he protective covering also affect this process. The change in the fil m properties may be explained by the structure and the phase transform ations taking place in these films.