Electron microscopy of thin films prepared by laser ablation

A simple processing method has been developed for studying model Nd-Fe-B magnets. The grain structure of these samples is comparable to that of melt-spun magnets. The samples are prepared by depositing films on a carbon foil TEM grid by laser ablation. The influence of temperature on the grain structure is emphasized. Deposition at room temperature yields amorphous films. Crystallinity is obtained at substrate temperatures above 600/spl deg/C during deposition. The size of the grains is about 20 nm.