Title :
Electronic and magneto-optical properties of ion beam sputtered rare earth-FeCo thin films
Author :
Weller, D. ; Reim, W. ; Schrijner, P.
Author_Institution :
Siemens AG, Erlangen, West Germany
fDate :
11/1/1988 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Amorphous rare-earth-transition-metal thin films have been deposited in ultrahigh vacuum by ion beam sputtering. Film composition and purity are controlled by Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. X-ray and ultraviolet photoemission valence band spectra are compared with polar magnetooptical Kerr-effect spectra in the photon energy range 0.5⩽hv⩽5 eV. The f→d transitions are found to enhance magnetooptical effects considerably in NdCo and NdFeCo films, while GdFeCo and TbFeCo spectra are dominated by d excitations of the FeCo. Evidence is found for the coexistence of Yb 2+ and Yb3+ valence state in amorphous YbFeCo and possible f→d contributions in the magnetooptical spectrum
Keywords :
Kerr magneto-optical effect; X-ray photoelectron spectra; cobalt alloys; iron alloys; magnetic thin films; magneto-optical devices; magneto-optical effects; rare earth alloys; sputtered coatings; 0.5 to 5 eV; Auger electron spectroscopy; GdFeCo films; NdCo films; NdFeCo films; RE-TM thin films; TbFeCo films; UV spectra; X-ray photoemission spectroscopy; X-ray spectra; YbFeCo films; amorphous thin films; d excitations; electronic properties; f to d transitions; ion beam sputtering; magnetooptical effects; magnetooptical properties; magnetooptical spectrum; photoemission valence band spectra; photon energy; polar magnetooptical Kerr-effect spectra; sputter deposited films; ultrahigh vacuum; Amorphous magnetic materials; Amorphous materials; Ferrimagnetic films; Ion beams; Magnetic properties; Magnetooptic effects; Photoelectricity; Spectroscopy; Sputtering; Temperature;
Journal_Title :
Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on
