Lattice Distortion and Magnetic Anisotropy of FeCo-Ti-N Thin Films

Abstract

The magnetic properties and the microstructure of Rh(001)/FeCo-Ti-N thin film, which showed uniaxial magnetic anisotropy were investigated. Uniaxial magnetic anisotropy constant (K_u) was calculated as 0.98 MJ･m^-3 in the film with the thickness of 23 nm, and the c/a was estimated to 1.08. The analysis of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) patterns taken from HR-TEM image showed that the c/a of the FeCo-Ti-N film reached to 1.12 at the interface of Rh/FeCo-Ti-N layers, and it decreased with increasing distance from the interface. These results indicate that the lattice strain induced at the Rh/FeCo-Ti-N interface could increase K_u.