Magnetostrictions and Magnetic Properties of Fe-Co-RE (RE: Rare Earth Elements) Films Produced by DC Triode Sputtering

Fe0.7Co0.3 alloy has a large magnetostriction value and a high saturation magnetization. We have investigated the magnetostriction and magnetic properties of bec Fe-Co-RE (RE a rare earth element) films. These films were prepared by dc triode sputtering. Addition of the RE elements Pr and Tb was found to increase the magnetostriction, while addition of the RE elements Ce, Nd, Sm and Er decreased it. These alloy films all exhibited high saturation magnetization values in excess of 200 emu/g. The high saturation magnetization appeared on addition of a small percentage of the RE element. Such films may be useful as soft magnetic materials.