In-plane magnetized YIG substrates self-biased by SmCo based sputtered film coatings

Abstract

Highly anisotropic SmCo based films with the TbCu7-type structure have been sputter deposited directly onto YIG substrates. The SmCo crystallites have the c axes approximately randomly splayed about the substrate plane such that the easy direction of magnetization of the SmCo film is in the film plane. The in-plane static energy product of the SmCo film layers was about 16 MG Oe. In-plane vibrating sample magnetometer hysteresis loops of the SmCo film and YIG substrate exhibit a composite form with the YIG field reversal shifted into the first quadrant by the looping field from the SmCo film layer. Approximately 4×4 mm2 pieces of YIG substrate have been measured to determine the YIG bias field and field required for reverse saturation of the YIG as a function of the SmCo based film layer thickness to YIG substrate thickness. It is observed that for SmCo to YIG thickness ratios greater than 0.22, the looping field from the SmCo film layer is sufficient to saturate the YIG magnetization in the reverse direction. SmCo film thicknesses in the range from 80 to 120 μm have been used in these studies. Special boundary layers have been used to promote thick film adhesion to the YIG substrates.