Field dependent magnetic anisotropy of Fe1−xZnx thin films

Abstract

Using longitudinal magneto-optical Kerr effect in combination with a variable strength rotating magnetic field, called the Rotational Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect (ROTMOKE) method, we show that the magnetic anisotropy for thin Fe82Zn18 single crystal films, grown on MgO(001) substrates, depends linearly on the strength of the applied magnetic field at low fields but is constant (saturates) at fields greater than 350 Oe. The torque moment curves generated using ROTMOKE are well fit with a model that accounts for the uniaxial and cubic anisotropy with the addition of a cubic anisotropy that depends linearly on the applied magnetic field. The field dependent term is evidence of a large effect on the effective magnetic anisotropy in Fe1−xZnx thin films by the magnetostriction.