Metastable bcc Fe–Mn Alloys Produced by rf Sputtering

Abstract

Fe_1−xMn_x alloy films obtained by rf sputtering technique have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, magnetization and Mössbauer effect measurements. The single bcc phase extends up to about x=0.2, while a bcc-fcc mixed phase appears for x=0.2−0.26. The lattice constants of the bcc phase are about 0.5% larger than those of the bulk specimens. The magnetization decreases monotonically with increasing x in the bcc phase, while it decreases sharply in the bcc-fcc mixed phase. These results are consistent with the Mössbauer spectra of these alloy films. The volume fraction of bcc and fcc phases has been estimated from Mössbauer analyses as well as magnetization measurements.