The magnetic and magneto-optical properties of Co, Cr, Mn, and Ni substituted barium ferrite films

Abstract

Using rapid thermal processing (RTP) we recently demonstrated the production of high quality well ordered barium ferrite films in times much shorter than those required by a conventional annealing process. Influence over the magnetic and structural properties developed in annealed samples was also achieved by variation of the RTP heating profile (R. Carey, P. A. Gago‐Sandoval, D. M. Newman, and B. W. J. Thomas, presented at Intermag‐93, Stockholm, April 13–16, 1993). It is known that the magneto‐optic properties of barium ferrite can be enhanced by selective substitution of some of the Fe by Co²⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ albeit at the expense of reducing the magnetic anisotropy. A multitarget scanning cosputtering process has been used in conjunction with rapid thermal processing to produce a series of barium ferrite films in which Co, Cr, Mn, Ni are selectively introduced to substitute for between 5 and 20 at. % of the Fe. A corresponding percentage of Ti is also added to maintain charge compensation. The magnetic and magneto‐optic properties of these films are presented and discussed with reference to their composition and treatment respect to the properties of barium ferrite.