Abstract
Discrete Fe-N phases which are difficult to prepare by common chemical methods have been synthesized by rf sputtering. Some of these phases are relevant in the Fischer-Tropisch synthesis of synfuels. Single Fe-N phases as well as the desirable mixtures have been synthesized by a careful control of various sputtering parameters. These films showed varied columnar microstructure with the columns perpendicular to the film plane. Magnetic anisotropy measurements for selected samples containing pure Fe4N, ε-Fe3N, and Fe4N+αFe have been carried out. The anisotropy components when the field (H) is perpendicular or parallel to the columns show significant differences in the magnetization versus H curves up to fields of 8 kOe at room temperature and evidence for superparamagnetism. These results are explained on the basis of structural anisotropy of the columnar structure of the films. Mössbauer results for the ε-nitride film are compared with those reported in the literature and again related to the microstructure.
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