The mechanism of Ag top layer on the coercivity enhancement of FePt thin films

Abstract

The magnetic properties of the FePt thin films with a Ag top layer prepared by magnetron sputtering have been studied. With 4 nm Ag layer deposited right after the deposition of FePt layer, the ordering temperature of the L 10 FePt phase decreased to 350°C or below. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate that Ag has diffused into the FePt layer when Ag was deposited at 350°C, while Ag remains on the top of the FePt when Ag was deposited at room temperature. The Ag top layer deposited at 350°C was also found to protect the FePt layer from oxidation. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.