Effect of microstructure on magnetic properties and anisotropy distributions in Co/Pd thin films and nanostructures

Justin M. Shaw, Hans T. Nembach, T. J. Silva, Stephen E. Russek, Roy Geiss, Christopher Jones, Noel Clark, Titus Leo, David Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

The structure of Co/Pd multilayers has a strong effect on the localized anisotropy distribution within a film and on the resulting switching properties of nanostructures fabricated from identical material. By varying the underlying seed layer in sputtered films, the microstructure can be controlled from being highly (111) textured to having a random grain orientation. We find a strong correlation between the lateral homogeneity of grain orientations and the localized anisotropy distribution in the material. X-ray diffraction and reflectivity indicate that the interface is better defined and more uniform in the textured case, consistent with the presence of a strong interfacelike anisotropy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number184419
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume80
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 19 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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