Magnetic and structural characterization of ultra-thin Fe (222) films

Melissa G Loving,Thomas F Ambrose,Emily E Brown,Nicholas D Rizzo

doi:10.1063/1.5006444

Melissa G Loving, Thomas F Ambrose + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5006444

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Journal: AIP Advances	Publication Date: Dec 14, 2017
Citations: 2	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Northrop Grumman (United States)

Abstract

Varied thickness body centered cubic (BCC) ultrathin Fe films (10-50Å) have been sputter deposited onto Si (111) substrates. BCC Fe with the novel (222) texture was obtained by H- terminating the Si (111) starting substrate then immediately depositing the magnetic films. Structural results derived from grazing incidence x-ray diffraction and x-ray reflectivity confirm the crystallographic texture, film thickness, and interface roughness. Magnetic results indicate that Fe (222) exhibits soft magnetic switching (easy axis), high anisotropy (hard axis), which is maintained across the thickness range, and a positive magnetostriction (for the thicker film layers). The observed soft magnetic switching in this system makes it an ideal candidate for future magnetic memory development as well as other microelectronics applications that utilize magnetic materials.

Highlights

Elemental Fe exhibits a rich body of crystallographic and magnetic phases which may be achieved through variations in extrinsic parameters
Previous work has shown that body centered cubic (BCC) Fe (222) may be achieved when Fe is deposited onto a H2 terminated Si surface
We provide a fundamental examination of the structural and magnetic properties of ultrathin BCC (222)-oriented Fe films, with a [222] principle crystallographic easy axis of magnetization

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Elemental Fe exhibits a rich body of crystallographic and magnetic phases which may be achieved through variations in extrinsic parameters. Body centered cubic (BCC) Fe is a soft ferromagnetic material with a easy axis of magnetization.. Previous work has shown that body centered cubic (BCC) Fe (222) may be achieved when Fe is deposited onto a H2 terminated Si surface.. Previous work has shown that body centered cubic (BCC) Fe (222) may be achieved when Fe is deposited onto a H2 terminated Si surface.2 It is well-established that ultrathin films (

EXPERIMENTAL

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSIONS