Preparation, characterization and magnetic properties of an ordered FeCo single crystal

Pristine FeCo single crystals with millimeter dimensions were prepared by a nnealing FeCo ingot samples. The composition and microstructure of a fine p olished cylindrical single crystal specimen used in this work were characte rized by energy dispersive x-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, ba ck-reflection Laue diffraction photographs, and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Th e ordered alpha' phase in the specimen was detected by XRD experiments usin g the synchrotron light source at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The full width at half maximum of the superlattice line, i.e., the (100) reflection, in phi scan was 2.5 degrees. The magnetic field dependence of the magnetic moment was measured with the field oriented in different directions using a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer and a vibrating sample magnetometer. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99 )17308-0].