Probing the anisotropy constants of SmCo5 and PrCo5 by Hall resistance measurements in pulsed high magnetic fields up to 47 T

Abstract

In order to assess the anisotropy constants of highly anisotropic thin film samples with anisotropy fields well above 10T, Hall resistance measurements were conducted in pulsed magnetic fields. These measurements also deliver the anomalous Hall data, which are proportional to the perpendicular magnetisation. This specific approach combines the high field values obtainable by pulsed fields with a measurement technique sensitive enough to be applied to thin film samples. Two epitaxial Rare Earth-Cobalt thin films with large in-plane uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy at room temperature were studied. The resulting anisotropy fields and constants are discussed with respect to measurements on single crystals and similar films investigated in quasi-static magnetic fields well below the anisotropy field. The present technique proved to be very valuable to highly anisotropic samples, as the approach to saturation is fully monitored and the data thus provides a more extended view on the hard axis magnetisation process.