Magnetic anisotropy evolution with Fe content in electrodeposited Ni100xFex thin films
In this study, we have experimentally and theoretically determined how the magnetic anisotropy of Ni100−xFex thin films evolves as a function of the Fe content in electrodeposited samples. When the Fe content is below 12 at%, stripe domains are promoted once the thickness exceeds a critical value. F...
| Autores: | , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2024 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) |
| Repositorio: | Docta Complutense |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/109413 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/109413 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Física de materiales 22 Física |
| Sumario: | In this study, we have experimentally and theoretically determined how the magnetic anisotropy of Ni100−xFex thin films evolves as a function of the Fe content in electrodeposited samples. When the Fe content is below 12 at%, stripe domains are promoted once the thickness exceeds a critical value. For an Fe content of 7 at%, the transcritical shape is present in the hysteresis loop for a thickness of 600 nm. However, for compositions equal to or above 12 at%, we have not found evidence of stripe domains, as indicated by the absence of the transcritical shape in the hysteresis loops for layer thicknesses as high as 1 μm even if a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the sample plane during growth. All the studied layers are polycrystalline with a 〈111〉 texture. The experimental results are understood in the framework of a theoretical model which considers different contributions to the magnetic anisotropy: magnetocrystalline, magnetoelastic, magnetostatic and from pairs. Out-of-plane anisotropy promoted by columnar growth has not been considered as the saccharine-based electrolyte used for the electrodeposition prevents it. In fact, the magnetic anisotropy related to pairs, which is not generally taken into account in models for Ni100−xFex, appears to play a crucial role in these thin films. Fitting of the experimental results to this model reveals that the local anisotropy generated by pairs can be as high as 3.30 × 106 J m−3. This theoretical and experimental combined investigation highlights the relevance of all these fundamental mechanisms for the understanding and tuning of magnetic materials. |
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