Magnetic Characteristics of CoZrNb Amorphous Thin Films

Methods for controlling the coercive force and anisotropic magnetic field of amorphous CoZrNb thin films are reported. Films were RF-sputtered onto glass and ceramic substrates, the latter mirror-polished in directions differing by 90°. Films formed on the ceramic substrates had Hk fields in preferred directions, while samples formed on glass showed no such directional preference for Hk. Films were then annealed in static and rotating magnetic fields; it was found that the Hk of as-sputtered films may be realigned by static field annealing, while the strength of Hk may be regulated by a combination of static- and rotating-field annealing.