Nanostructure and magnetization reversal process in TbFeCo/Yx(FeCo)1−x spring-magnet type multilayers

Abstract

Studies of the naturally formed nanostructure and magnetization reversal process were performed for the sputtered Tb(Fe0.55Co0.45)1.5/Yx(Fe0.7Co0.3)1−x multilayers (0⩽x⩽0.2) with a TbFeCo layer thickness tTbFeCo=12nm and YFeCo layer thickness tYFeCo=10nm. The structural investigations showed that nanocrystals are naturally formed and coexist within the amorphous matrix in Y0.1(FeCo)0.9 layers. In this state, low magnetic coercivity and large parallel magnetostrictive susceptibility are observed. The results are discussed in terms of the crystalline discontinuity of the soft YFeCo layers.