A magnetization behavior of giant magnetostrictive amorphous Sm-Fe thin films

Abstract

Amorphous Sm-Fe thin films with excellent magnetostrictive properties are fabricated by rf magnetron sputtering and a magnetization behavior of the thin films is investigated by measuring the temperature dependence of magnetization with a SQUID and a VSM during heating from 5 to 600 K at an applied magnetic field of 10 or 50 kOe, and also measuring low temperature hysteresis loops. Magnetic parameters are discussed by using models based on the mean field theory and the random anisotropy. A particular emphasis is given to differing magnetic properties depending on fabrication method.