Observation of magnetic anisotropy increment with temperature in composition-graded FeCoZr thin films

Abstract

Through a systematic investigation, we demonstrate that FeCoZr thin films deposited by gradient composition sputtering technique possess a unique magnetic thermal behavior, namely, the increase in magnetic anisotropy with temperature. Moreover, this gradient composition sputtering technique also offers a viable method to tailor the high-frequency magnetic properties as well as their thermal stability by changing deposition angle and deposition power. The unusual temperature dependence of magnetic anisotropy in such thin films can be interpreted in terms of stress-induced magnetic anisotropy arising from the composition gradient in the films. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.