The effect of the constituent metal layer thickness on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe/Y multilayers

Citation
Zs. Zhang et al., The effect of the constituent metal layer thickness on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe/Y multilayers, PHYS ST S-A, 179(1), 2000, pp. 237-247
Citations number
26
Categorie Soggetti
Apllied Physucs/Condensed Matter/Materiales Science
Journal title
PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI A-APPLIED RESEARCH
ISSN journal
00318965 → ACNP
Volume
179
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
237 - 247
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-8965(20000516)179:1<237:TEOTCM>2.0.ZU;2-4
Abstract
Fe/Y multilayers with various Fe and Y layer thickness were prepared by ele ctron-beam vapor deposition. The effect of the constituent metal layer thic kness on the microstructure and magnetic properties of the films was invest igated by transmission electron microscopy. Rutherford backscattering, X-ra y diffraction and vibrating-sample magnetometer. The experimental results s howed that a magnetic transformation from the ferromagnetic to superparamag netic state in the iron layers occurred with decreasing Fe layer thickness to 1.4 nm in the Fe/Y multilayers. The saturation mag netization of the mul tilayers reduced significantly with decreasing Fe layer thickness and incre asing Y layer thickness. It was also found that the Y layer can grow in an f.c.c. structure when its thickness was less than 11 nm in the Fe/Y multila yers.