XPS Study of Gd-Co and Gd-Fe Amorphous Films

Abstract

XPS spectra of Co 2p_3/2, Fe 2p_3/2 and Gd 4d_3/2,5/2 of the Gd-Co and Gd-Fe amorphous films were obtained before and after annealing. As a result of the spectral observation, it is known that the oxide of Co and Fe are easily reduced by annealing in a vacuum of 1×10^-4 Torr. The depth profiles of Gd-Co film show that Gd segregates to the surface of the film at room temperature. The segregation of highly reactive Gd aids to reduce the oxide of Co and Fe. Based on the experimental data we can explain the effect of annealing on the compensation temperature and, in some extent, support a pair-ordering model of magnetic anisotropy.