Tailoring the magnetic properties of mechanically hardest Co–Fe–Ta–B glassy thin films

Abstract

In the present paper, we focus on the unique magnetic properties, such as spin reorientation transition (SRT) and Curie temperature (TC), of mechanically hardest Co–Fe–Ta–B glassy alloy in thin film form. The effect of dilution with Zr on the magnetic properties of this alloy is also reported. The SRT temperature is found to be reversible and can be tailored to any desirable value from 100K to above room temperature by controlling the film thickness or by different methods of film deposition. In addition, while maintaining the ability to tailor SRT, we can also vary the TC of these films from 450K down to helium temperatures by appropriate dilution of the alloy with Zr. All the Zr added Co–Fe–Ta–B alloy thin films are structurally amorphous, but magnetically versatile and tunable. Our results indicate that the amorphous∕glassy magnetic thin film materials are quite promising for versatile magnetic manipulations and device development.