Interplay of the magnetoelastic and shape anisotropy on the evolution of magnetic domain structure of amorphous Nd–Fe–B films

• Published in: Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials Vol. 358-359; pp. 192 - 197
• Main Authors: Liu, X.C., Gao, J.L., Xie, R., Tang, T., Tang, S.L., Du, Y.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.05.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Anisotropy Nd-Fe-B film; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Domain effects, magnetization curves, and hysteresis; Domain walls and domain structure; Easy-axis; Evolution; Exact sciences and technology; Ferrous alloys; Magnetic anisotropy; Magnetic domain structure; Magnetic domains; Magnetic fields; Magnetic materials; Magnetic properties and materials; Physics; Planes; Rare earth metals; Anisotropy Nd-Fe-B film; Magnetic domain structure; Magnetic anisotropy; Easy-axis; Stripe domains; Magnetic field effects; Amorphous alloy; Neodymium alloys; Magnetic force microscopy; Thickness; Cathode sputtering; Field orientation; Domain structure; Magnetic domains; Rare earth alloys; Magnetoelastic effects; Iron base alloys; Transition element alloys
• ISSN: 0304-8853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2014.01.053

Amorphous Re–Fe–B (Re rare-earth) films are prepared on thermally oxidized Si substrates with Nb buffer layers by dc magnetron sputtering. We observed the evolution of magnetic domain structure in these films under the external magnetic field parallel to the film plane and discussed its origin. The magnetoelastic anisotropy and shape anisotropy can be adjusted by changing the deposition temperature and the thickness of the film. The results showed that the magnetic domain structure for a film with lower sputtering temperature (150°C) and thinner thickness (200nm) has changed significantly with the applied magnetic field and form stripe domains arranged along the direction of the field. However, for the film with higher sputtering temperature (300°C) and thicker thickness (600nm), magnetic domain structure is hardly varied with applied field. We suggest the evolution of magnetic domain structure is determined by the interplay of the magnetoelastic anisotropy and shape anisotropy energy, which will lead to the easy magnetization direction of amorphous Re–Fe–B films inclined to the normal direction instead of perpendicular to the film plane. •Amorphous Nd–Fe–B films with perpendicular anisotropy are prepared by dc magnetron sputtering.•Films with different sputtering condition have different magnetization mechanisms.•The direction of easy axis is related to the competition of two magnetic anisotropies.•The formation of the bubble domain is related to the direction of easy axis.