STRUCTURAL AND MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF GRANULAR CO-AG THIN-FILMS DEPOSITED BY PULSED-LASER DEPOSITION

An investigation of microstructural properties of CoxAg1-x films grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition, as a function of deposition and post-depo sition annealing temperature, is reported. Surface morphology and micr ostructure were investigated by XPS, X-ray diffraction, SEM and TEM me asurements. Information on particle size distributions has been extrac ted from the analysis of the temperature dependence of the irreversibl e magnetization. Depending on cobalt content, deposition and post-depo sition annealing temperature, the maximum of the Co grain size distrib ution was estimated to be in the range 2 - 6 nm. (C) 1998 Acta Metallu rgica Inc.