Domain structures and magnetic properties of FeN films sputter-deposited on sloping surfaces

Abstract

We obtained soft magnetic properties of FeN on sloping substrates by lamination with thin AlN interlayers. Single layer FeN films on sloping substrate have large saturation field and small squareness. The cause of the degradation of soft magnetic properties in single layer films is ascribed to the perpendicular anisotropy. The existence of the perpendicular anisotropy of FeN sputter-deposited on sloping surfaces is confirmed by the observation of stripe domains with magnetic force microscopy. The observed values of the stripe domain width and the critical film thickness are compared with the calculated values. The stripe domains are parallel to the applied field direction when a saturation field is applied prior to the observation. The stripe domains rotate with the applied field direction.