A new FCC metastable phase formed in Fe/Hf films upon annealing and its magnetic properties

The Fe/Hf multilayered films were prepared by alternate depositing pure Fe and Hf metals. The films were then annealed at 380 and 550 degreesC, respec tively. The experimental results indicated that, among the various composit ions studied, a new metastable crystalline phase with fee structure was obt ained at a composition of approximately Fe24Hf76, when the films were annea led at 380 degreesC for 20 min. The new fcc phase exhibits ferromagnetic be havior, and its magnetic moment per Fe atom was approximately 0.34 mu (B). The new fcc phase was unstable at 550 degreesC and transformed into new non -magnetic phases. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.