Structure and magnetic properties of [001] NiFe/NiMn/Co

Textured and epitaxial [001]NiFe/NiMn/Co films were grown on Cu/Si[100] structural templates by using e-beam evaporation. Numerical analysis of high-resolution TEM images was used to determine the local d-spacing of NiMn. The local c/a ratio for the annealed sample varied across the film. The well-aligned orientation relationship between NiFe and NiMn stabilized the disordered NiMn phase, which resulted in a small exchange field. Interdiffusion was observed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy near the interfaces of Cu/NiFe, NiFe/NiMn, and NiMn/Co. Interdiffusion may modify the interfacial structures, and may contribute to the enhancement of the coercivity in NiFe and Co.