A high throughput study of both compositionally graded and homogeneous Fe–Pt thin films

Abstract

Compositionally graded Fe–Pt thin films were prepared on stationary 100 mm Si substrates by magnetron sputtering a base target of Fe on which a piece of Pt is asymmetrically positioned. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis was used to map the variation in film composition across the substrate, as a function of the size of the Pt piece. A scanning polar Magneto-Optical-Kerr-Effect system was used to probe the influence of composition and post-deposition annealing conditions (temperature and time) on coercivity. In this way, the maximum coercivity achievable for the sputtering system used could be established in a high throughput fashion. The evolution in coercivity with composition was correlated with the formation of L10 FePt and changes in its lattice parameters, as determined by scanning X-ray diffraction. High throughput coercivity mapping was then carried out on homogeneous Fe–Pt thin films of different compositions treated to different annealing conditions. This study serves as a step towards the integration of coercive FePt films into collectively fabricated devices.