Compositional separation in Co-Mn magnetic thin films

Abstract

The compositional distribution in fcc Co-Mn magnetic thin films was studied in order to examine the possibility of a compositional separation, similar to that observed previously in hcp Co-Cr thin film magnetic recording media, occurring in an fcc alloy system. Spin-echo 59Co NMR study of Co75Mn25 films revealed a change from a homogeneous compositional distribution in a film deposited at a substrate temperature (Ts) of RT to a compositionally separated state in a film deposited at a Ts of 300 °C. Vibrating sample magnetometry revealed an associated three-fold enhancement in saturation magnetization in the films deposited at a Ts of 300 °C.