The microstructure of sputtered 10-nm thin films of equiatomic binary alloy
s of CoPt and FePt was characterized using transmission electron microscopy
(TEM). Grain growth kinetics was examined using manual and digital analysi
s of bright-field TEM images and was seen to take two stages during anneali
ng in these films. A rapid growth stage concurrent with the formation of a
[111] fiber texture was observed to occur within the first 5-10 min of anne
aling, followed by a much slower growth stage after the fiber texturing was
well advanced. Differences in grain growth rate and ultimate grain size we
re also observed to depend on heating rate.