Structure and Magnetic Properties of Sm(Fe_0.8Co_0.2)₁₂ Thin Films by Adding Light Elements

Abstract

  The effect of light elements such as B, C and N on Sm(Fe_0.8Co_0.2)₁₂ alloy was investigated in detail. The highest coercivity H_c of 11.1 kOe was obtained for Sm(Fe_0.8Co_0.2)₁₂-B thin films with the thickness of 100 nm and B content of 11.2 at.%. From X-ray diffraction patterns, peaks from (002) and (004) of ThMn₁₂-type phase were clearly observed for the films. However, no significant improvement in magnetic properties was observed with the addition of C and N to the Sm(Fe_0.8Co_0.2)₁₂ alloy, as was the case with the combined addition with B. It was confirmed that only the addition of B contributes significantly to the improvement of magnetic properties from the result of adding light elements to this series of Sm(Fe_0.8Co_0.2)₁₂ alloy.