Magnetic properties of compositionally modulated Fe-based nitride alloy films

Fe-based compositionally modulated films composed of five 100-nm-thick nonnitride and nitride layers were prepared by N/sub 2/ reactive sputtering. Soft magnetic properties are obtained when the layer thickness is less than 15 nm for metal-metalloid-type alloy films such as Fe-Nb-B/Fe-Nb-B-N and when less than 30 nm for metal-metal type films such as Fe-Nb/Fe-Nb-N. The layered structure and the soft magnetic properties are thermally stable up to 600 degrees C. The films having high saturation magnetization, 4 Pi Ms=12-16 kG, and high permeability, mu =2000-3000 (at 1 MHz), are promising head-core materials for high-density recording.<
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