Thickness dependent evolution of microstructure and magnetic properties of L10 (001) FePt films grown on TiN intermediate layer

Abstract

The evolution of the microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt films with different thicknesses fabricated by dc magnetron sputtering on TiN intermediate layer were investigated. MFM results showed that the magnetization reversal mechanism changed from Stoner-Wohlfarth rotation to domain wall motion with increasing film thickness. SEM and TEM images revealed that the morphologies of the films evolved from island particle to maze-like grains and then continuous films with the increase of the FePt film thickness. The critical thickness for FePt/TiN epitaxial growth was estimated to be 10 nm by lattice constant simulation and TEM measurement. The lattice relaxation in the FePt film of 40 nm was determined by high-resolution TEM images. © 2012 DSI.