Vector magnetometer studies of the easy magnetisation direction in epitaxially grown DyFe 2 film

Abstract

A vector vibrating sample magnetometer has been used to determine the direction of easy magnetisation in a thin film of DyFe 2. The 4000 Å thick film, with a [1 1 0] growth direction, was prepared using molecular beam epitaxy. The results show that the direction of easy magnetisation is temperature dependent. At 4 K this direction corresponds to the [0 0 1] type axes. But at 290 K, the easy axis is close to a [ 1 ̄ 1 0] direction, but pointing out of the plane of the film at angle of ∼(14±3)°. On the basis of the vector magnetometer results at 290 K we find two easy magnetisation axes close to [ 3 ̄ 5 0] or [ 5 ̄ 3 0] (and opposite directions). Finally, it is shown that DyFe 2 films are unique in that the remanent magnetisation can be manipulated to point either in or out of the plane of the film.