Surface Magnetic Domain Structure Research Articles

Tailoring magnetic softness of Fe-based amorphous alloys with superior magnetization by magnetic field annealing

The inverse relationship between the saturation magnetic flux density (Bs) and coercivity (Hc) of Fe-based amorphous alloys is a very active research topic that has been extensively debated. In this work, we conducted a detailed investigation on the magnetic softness of Fe83.2-xCoxB10C6Cu0.8 (x = 0 and 6 at.%) amorphous alloys based on analysis of the surface morphology, microstructure, magnetic anisotropy, and magnetic domain structure. Enhanced magnetic softness-magnetization synergy was realized in the present alloys by magnetic field annealing (MFA) during the de-stressing process. A dramatic 84 % reduction of Hc to 2.2 A/m was achieved for the Co-doped alloy under MFA, exhibiting excellent magnetic performance with a superb Bs of 1.86 T. The consistency between the experimental results and theoretical analysis revealed that the MFA process can mitigate the trade-off between stress-induced anisotropy and induced uniaxial anisotropy owing to the homogenized structure formed by field annealing. Thus, the process favored a low Hc due to the significant continuous decline in the total magnetic anisotropy, which coincided well with the results of Magneto-optical Kerr microscopy. The study elucidates a mechanism for tuning Hc in Co-doped alloy systems and affords a possible pathway for softening amorphous alloys with high Bs.

Studying the Crucial Physical Characteristics Related to Surface Roughness and Magnetic Domain Structure in CoFeSm Thin Films

This study investigated the effects of varying film thicknesses and annealing temperatures on the surface roughness and magnetic domain structure of CoFeSm thin films. The results revealed that as the film thickness increased, both the crystalline size and surface roughness decreased, leading to a reduction in coercivity (Hc) and improved magnetic contrast performance. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis confirmed the presence of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), and samarium (Sm) within the thin films. Notably, the 40 nm Co40Fe40Sm20 thin film annealed at 200 °C exhibited lower sheet resistance (Rs) and resistivity (ρ), indicating higher conductivity and a relatively higher maximum magnetic susceptibility (χac) at 50 Hz. These findings suggest that these films are well suited for low-frequency magnetic components due to their increased spin sensitivity. The 40 nm Co40Fe40Sm20 thin film, subjected to annealing at 200 °C, displayed a distinct stripe domain structure characterized by prominently contrasting dark and bright patterns. It exhibited the lowest Hc and the highest saturation magnetization (Ms), leading to a significant improvement in their soft magnetic properties. It is proposed that the surface roughness of the CoFeSm thin films plays a crucial role in shaping the magnetic properties of these thin magnetic films.

Optimization of the high-frequency magnetoimpedance response in melt-extracted Co-rich microwires through novel multiple-step Joule heating

The optimization of the high frequency giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) effect and its magnetic field sensitivity in melt-extracted Co 69.25 Fe 4.25 Si 13 B 12.5 Nb 1 amorphous microwires was systematically studied through a multi-step Joule annealing (MSA) technique. The surface morphology, microstructure, surface magnetic property, and radio frequency GMI response of the Co-rich microwires were explored using techniques like microscopy, magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) magnetometry, and the magnetic field dependence of the wire's radio frequency impedance (GMI). The multi-step Joule annealing protocol begins with an initial dc current amplitude ( i dc ) of 20 mA that was stepped up by 20 mA every 10 min to a maximum amplitude of 300 mA. Radio frequency GMI measurements at 20 MHz demonstrated a remarkable improvement of the GMI ratio and field sensitivity to 760% (1.75 times of that of the as-prepared wire) and 925%/Oe (more than 17.92 times of that of the as-prepared wire), respectively, after the MSA protocol with a maximum current amplitude of 100 mA. Microscopy and MOKE suggest that the MSA technique can enhance the microstructure and surface magnetic domain structure of the Co-rich magnetic microwire, which would give rise to an improved GMI ratio. The high GMI sensitivity at small magnetic fields renders these MSA-treated Co-rich microwires highly promising materials for biomedical devices that sense and monitor small, biological magnetic fields.

Martensitic transformation in polycrystalline substrate-constrained and freestanding Ni-Mn-Ga films with Ni and Ga excess

Martensitic transformation (MT) and magnetic properties were investigated in a polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Ga freestanding and a sputter deposited on Al2O3 substrate films with excess Ni and Ga. Both films had a 2-μm thickness and MT above the room temperature. The MT region was wider in the freestanding film. The films demonstrated the isotropic in-plane behaviour of magnetic properties. A step-like behaviour was observed in the magnetization reversal process in the freestanding film because there were second-phase impurities. In the substrate-constrained film, only broadening in magnetization loops because of internal stresses was observed. The easy magnetization axis oriented normally to the film plane of the freestanding film but had a preferred orientation in the film plane of the substrate-constrained film. Both films exhibited a maze-like surface magnetic domain structure with the domain width of approximately 0.9 μm with different stripe structures, which confirms the presence of out-of-plane anisotropy. Based on these results, the effects of the substrate on the MT, structural and magnetic properties and the type of internal stresses were discussed.

Thickness Dependent Surface Topography, Magnetic Properties and Magnetic Domain Structure of Amorphous FeTaC Thin Films

We report systematic investigation of thickness dependent surface topography, magnetic properties and magnetic domain structures of amorphous Fe80Ta8C12 (x nm) films with x=5–100 nm. All the as-deposited films fabricated directly on thermally oxidized Si substrate at ambient temperature using magnetron sputtering technique exhibit amorphous structure. The structural studies reveal that island-like structure in ultra-thin films transforms into continuous one with increasing x>10. In addition, the average surface roughness increases with increasing x, but without any systematic dependency on x. Room temperature magnetic properties illustrate that the paramagnetic nature observed for films with x 97%), low coercivity (HC 3.5 kA/m) and HS (>40 kA/m) and reduced MR/MS (<45%). The magnetic domain studies not only reveal that the domains change from in-plane magnetization to dense stripe domain pattern with increasing x due to enhancement of effective magnetic anisotropy caused by stress quenched in during deposition, but also confirm that films with 12<x<40 exhibit in-plane magnetization with uniaxial anisotropy. High temperature thermomagnetization reveal a clear magnetic phase transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic state at relatively higher temperature of about 530 K. The observed results are elucidated on the basis of enhanced effective magnetic anisotropy, change in the magnetic domain structure and magnetic disorder with increasing FeTaC film thickness.

Relating surface roughness and magnetic domain structure to giant magneto-impedance of Co-rich melt-extracted microwires

Understanding the relationship between the surface conditions and giant magneto-impedance (GMI) in Co-rich melt-extracted microwires is key to optimizing their magnetic responses for magnetic sensor applications. The surface magnetic domain structure (SMDS) parameters of ~45 μm diameter Co69.25Fe4.25Si13B13.5-xZrx (x = 0, 1, 2, 3) microwires, including the magnetic domain period (d) and surface roughness (Rq) as extracted from the magnetic force microscopy (MFM) images, have been correlated with GMI in the range 1–1000 MHz. It was found that substitution of B with 1 at. % Zr increased d of the base alloy from 729 to 740 nm while retaining Rq from ~1 nm to ~3 nm. A tremendous impact on the GMI ratio was found, increasing the ratio from ~360% to ~490% at an operating frequency of 40 MHz. Further substitution with Zr decreased the high frequency GMI ratio, which can be understood by the significant increase in surface roughness evident by force microscopy. This study demonstrates the application of the domain period and surface roughness found by force microscopy to the interpretation of the GMI in Co-rich microwires.

Three-dimensional magnetic domain structure in a model with exchange randomness

Surface magnetic domain structure can be different from internal one. Both of them are influenced by structural randomness. Three-dimensional numerical simulations are performed using a model with random exchange interactions and dipolar interactions on a lattice with the periodic boundary condition for the horizontal directions to simulate infinite system in the directions and with the free boundary condition for vertical direction (z) to represent the existence of surface. The lattice sizes are 64×64×(2Lz+1) for Lz=1,2,4 and 32×32×(2Lz+1) for Lz=8,16. To simulate highly anisotropic materials, time dependent Ginzburg–Landau equation using a model with Ising symmetry is solved numerically. Dependence of magnetic domain patterns on thickness of the system and the degree of disorder is investigated for systems with small thickness. Magnetic structure factor for the surface layer is compared with that for the internal layer. The inverse of the wave number that gives the maximum value of the magnetic structure factor depends on the thickness of the system T as T0.3 approximately. The distribution of the local magnetization depends on the disorder rather differently for different thicknesses of the system.

Tailoring circular magnetic domain structure and high frequency magneto-impedance of melt-extracted Co69.25Fe4.25Si13B13.5 microwires through Nb doping

The surface roughness, surface magnetic domain structure (SMDS), and high frequency magneto-impedance (MI) response of melt-extracted Co69.25Fe4.25Si13B13.5 microwires with 1 at.% Nb substitution for B have been studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM), magnetic force microscopy (MFM), and impedance analyzer, respectively. We show that the Nb doping significantly increases the domain width from 729 to 1028 nm, while preserving the low surface roughness (∼2 nm) of the base composition. As a result, a greater improvement of the high frequency MI response (∼300%/Oe at 20 MHz) is achieved in the Nb-doped microwire. A well-defined circumferential anisotropy formed with Nb-substitution is key to a highly sensitive MI field sensor.

In-situ visualization of stress-dependent bulk magnetic domain formation by neutron grating interferometry

The performance and degree of efficiency of industrial transformers are directly influenced by the magnetic properties of high-permeability steel laminations (HPSLs). Industrial transformer cores are built of stacks of single HPSLs. While the insulating coating on each HPSL reduces eddy-current losses in the transformer core, the coating also induces favorable inter-granular tensile stresses that significantly influence the underlying magnetic domain structure. Here, we show that the neutron dark-field image can be used to analyze the influence of the coating on the volume and supplementary surface magnetic domain structures. To visualize the stress effect of the coating on the bulk domain formation, we used an uncoated HPSL and stepwise increased the applied external tensile stress up to 20 MPa. We imaged the domain configuration of the intermediate stress states and were able to reproduce the original domain structure of the coated state. Furthermore, we were able to visualize how the applied stresses lead to a refinement of the volume domain structure and the suppression and reoccurrence of supplementary domains.

Magnetic surface domain imaging of uncapped epitaxial FeRh(001) thin films across the temperature-induced metamagnetic transition

The surface magnetic domain structure of uncapped epitaxial FeRh/MgO(001) thin films was imaged by in-situ scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis (SEMPA) at various temperatures between 122 and 450 K. This temperature range covers the temperature-driven antiferromagnetic-to-ferromagnetic phase transition in the body of the films that was observed in-situ by means of the more depth-sensitive magneto-optical Kerr effect. The SEMPA images confirm that the interfacial ferromagnetism coexisting with the antiferromagnetic phase inside the film is an intrinsic property of the FeRh(001) surface. Furthermore, the SEMPA data display a reduction of the in-plane magnetization occuring well above the phase transition temperature which, thus, is not related to the volume expansion at the phase transition. This observation is interpreted as a spin reorientation of the surface magnetization for which we propose a possible mechanism based on temperature-dependent tetragonal distortion due to different thermal expansion coefficients of MgO and FeRh.

Transformation of magnetic structure in amorphous microwires induced by temperature and high frequency magnetic field

The study of the magnetic properties of glass-covered amorphous microwires is reported. This study is focused on the influence of a high frequency electric current and of temperature upon the surface magnetic domain structure. Investigations are performed using the magneto-optical Kerr effect technique, and it is found that the high frequency current and heating process have a great and essential influence upon the surface magnetization reversal and surface domain structure. The induced formation and transformation of the surface magnetic structure are key processes that determine the stable operation of giant magneto-impedance devices.

Direct imaging of the magnetization reversal in microwires using all-MOKE microscopy.

We report a method of imaging of the magnetization reversal process using analysis of real-time images of magnetic domain structures in cylindrically shaped microwires. This method uses wide-field polarizing optical microscopy and is based on the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE). The aperture diaphragm in MOKE microscope was used to control the incident angles of the light rays that reached the non-planar surface of the microwire and also determined the MOKE geometries. The movement of the non-central position of the hole in this diaphragm leads to a change in the orientation of the plane of incidence of the light along the perpendicular or the parallel direction to the axial direction of the wire. The visualization of the surface magnetic domain structures is obtained using polar and longitudinal MOKE geometries. The hysteresis loops were obtained by plotting the averaged image contrast as a function of the external magnetic field. The separation of the all-magnetization components is performed using different MOKE geometries in a microscope. We demonstrate the use of vector magnetometry to analyze the orientation of the magnetization in a cylindrically shaped microwire under the influence of an external magnetic field.

An interchangeable scanning Hall probe/scanning SQUID microscope.

We have constructed a scanning probe microscope for magnetic imaging, which can function as a scanning Hall probe microscope (SHPM) and as a scanning SQUID microscope (SSM). The scanning scheme, applicable to SHPM and SSM, consists of a mechanical positioning (sub) micron-XY stage and a flexible direct contact to the sample without a feedback control system for the Z-axis. With the interchangeable capability of operating two distinct scanning modes, our microscope can incorporate the advantageous functionalities of the SHPM and SSM with large scan range up to millimeter, high spatial resolution (⩽4 μm), and high field sensitivity in a wide range of temperature (4.2 K-300 K) and magnetic field (10(-7) T-1 T). To demonstrate the capabilities of the system, we present magnetic images scanned with SHPM and SSM, including a RbFeB magnet and a nickel grid pattern at room temperature, surface magnetic domain structures of a La(2/3)Ca(1/3)MnO3 thin film at 77 K, and superconducting vortices in a striped niobium film at 4.2 K.

Surface and internal magnetic domain structures of Fe-Ga alloy rods

The magnetic domain structures of the 〈100〉 oriented Fe81Ga19 polycrystalline alloys with rapid quenching (RQ) and post-annealing (PA) thermal treatments are investigated by using magnetic force microscopy (MFM). The surfaces of the RQ alloy rods take on the dendritic domains after undergoing a standard mechanical polishing. While after PA processing, the distinct domain structures are observed at different temperatures. The wide stripe-like domain patterns appear in the surface of those PA rods at 550°C while the ramous domains remain at 400°C annealing. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that a thin iron layer is formed on the surface of the specimens annealed at higher temperature. The soft magnetic iron layer, actually acting as a shield for the stray fields emerging from the internal magnetic structures underneath, brings about the presentation of the wide internal domains.

Microscopic investigation of surface and interfacial magnetic domain structure of Fe–NiO(1 0 0) system

We report our experimental observation of microscopic modification, reconstruction and evolution of the antiferromagnetic domain structure of the NiO(1 0 0) surface in view of the exchange bias effect. Some domain patterns (called non-equilibrium domains) as observed on the as-cleaved surface do not follow the well-known bulk symmetry traces on the (1 0 0) surface. But, bulk-terminated domains (called equilibrium domains) are found to be renucleated up on cooling the sample from above the Néel temperature, unless domains are strongly pinned by crystalline defects. We also observe certain domain evolution after annealing the crystal at various temperatures above the Néel temperature. Influence of growth condition on the ferromagnetic domain structure of the Fe film deposited on NiO(1 0 0) has been followed in situ. While for thin film case (7 ML), no influence of growth has been observed, for thicker film (21 ML) the Fe domain structure is found to be determined by both growth-induced and exchange anisotropy. Thus, our observations depict a thickness-dependent interplay between growth-induced and exchange anisotropy in ferromagnetic film grown on the antiferromagnetic substrate.

Surface magnetization reversal and magnetic domain structure in amorphous microwires

AbstractThis paper presents a review on magneto‐optical investigations of the glass‐coated amorphous microwires including magneto‐optical magnetometry and microscopy. We also discuss a Kerr‐effect method of domain‐wall‐motion detection in glass‐coated wires within a classical Sixtus–Tonks experimental scheme. The developed techniques make it possible to observe the surface magnetization reversal and to establish the main mechanisms of domain‐structure formation and transformation.

Thickness dependent magnetic and structural properties of Co films grown on GaAs (100)

The structural, magnetic and transport properties measurements carried out on Co thin films deposited by electron beam evaporation on GaAs substrate as a function of layer thickness ranging from 50 Å to 1000 Å are presented here. Structural measurements show the film to be amorphous in nature at lower thickness which becomes crystalline at higher thickness. Magnetic measurements show an increase in saturation magnetization (M S) with film thickness. M S values are found to vary from 521 emu/cm 3 to 1180 emu/cm 3 for thicknesses ranging from 50 Å to 1000 Å. The coercivity and saturation field value shows a systematic decrease up to 600 Å thickness and increase thereafter. Various microstructural parameters were also calculated using GIXRR technique. A clear grain growth is observed in AFM technique with film thickness and its influence on transport properties was also seen. Different surface morphology and magnetic domain structures were obtained on different thin film samples by AFM and MFM techniques, respectively. XPS measurements reveal formation of CoAs phase at the interface between Co and GaAs. All these results are discussed and interpreted in detail in this communication.

Influence of Annealing on the Magnetic Properties of Fe&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt;Co&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; Films

The Fe50Co50 magnetic films were prepared by magnetron sputtering onto glass substrates. The structural and magnetic properties of the films were investigated as a function of annealing temperature and annealing time. It is found that the films have the better crystallization orientation after annealing. The in-plane coercivity Hc reduces with increasing annealing temperature and annealing time. Coercivity reaches the minimum in the sample annealed at 600°C for 2h. Meanwhile, the saturation magnetization Ms increases with increasing annealing temperature as a whole. A scanning probe microscope was used to scan surface morphology and magnetic domain structures. After annealing, the domain size becomes larger and the contrast of domains increases.

Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Ag/Fe/Ag Pseudo-Sandwich Nanogranular Films

Nanogranular Ag/Fe/Ag films were prepared by magnetron sputtering from a silver and an iron target onto glass substrates at room temperature and subsequent in situ annealing. The structural and magnetic properties of the films were investigated as a function of silver layer thickness and annealing temperature. X-ray diffraction shows the Fe(110) peak is formed in all the samples. Vibrating sample magnetometer measurements indicate that the magnetic moments lie well perpendicular to the film plane. Coercivity reaches the maximum in the sample annealed at 500C for 30 min with 3 nm Ag layer. A scanning probe microscope was used to scan surface morphology and magnetic domain structures. In as-deposited samples the average grain size and the average roughness is smaller than that the annealing samples. After annealing, the grain size is larger and the contrast of domains increases, but the domain size becomes smaller.

Effects on the structural and magnetic properties of amorphous ribbons of (Co0.94Fe0.06)72.5Si12.5B15 caused by 4 MeV Cl2+ ion irradiation

The use of energetic ion irradiation to modify magnetic materials has attracted increasing interest in recent years. The possibility of patterning surfaces on these materials offers a wide range of potential applications particularly in technologies related to magnetic storage media, sensing devices and electromagnetic shielding materials. In this work, ultrasoft non-magnetostrictive (Co0.94Fe0.06)72.5Si12.5B15 amorphous ribbons, 50μm thick and 0.85mm wide, fabricated by the chilly block melt spinning technique are irradiated, in their amorphous state, by 4MeV Cl2+ ions with a fluence of 5×1013cm−2. The hysteresis properties of both irradiated and non-irradiated samples are characterized by means of a vibrating sample magnetometer while surface magnetic domain structure is observed by Bitter technique. The presence of an induced magnetic anisotropy in irradiated samples is ascribed to the local damage, caused by ion irradiation treatment, which results in modified coercive field and permeability of the samples. X-ray diffraction results are presented to confirm the amorphicity of the structure even after irradiation with ions.