Magnetic and magneto-optical properties of DC-sputtered (CoPt3)(1-x)Ni-x (x=0-0.5) alloy films

The effect of Ni content, film thickness, Ar pressure upon the magnetic and magneto-optical (MO) properties are studied with the (CoPt3)(1-x)Ni-x (x = 0-0.5) alloy films. Experimental data indicate that Ar pressure greatly af fect the Kerr rotation angle during the blue-wave range. For the studied (C oPt3)(1-x)Ni-x alloy films, the satisfactory thickness for obtaining large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is 42 nm. During the red-wave range, Ni a ddition almost has no effect on the potential figure of merit (PFOM), howev er, Ni addition (x approximate to 0.5) may induce satisfactory perpendicula r anisotropy and coercivity. Although Ni addition reduces the Curie tempera ture, it also reduces the PFOM in the blue-wave range. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience S.A. All rights reserved.