Abstract
Observations of thin films of amorphous TbFeCo by electron microscopy with a resolution limit of better than 0.2 nm invariably reveal the presence of very fine microcrystals (sizes ∼2-5 nm). Bright field imaging, in both plan view and in cross section, indicates that these nanocrystals have the crystal structure of α-Fe or Co. In contrast, crystals of Tb metal (or Tb oxides) have not been observed. Similar observations of FeCo thin films, prepared under identical experimental conditions, reveal much larger crystals (typically 10-50 nm). It is concluded that the presence of the rare earth element Tb is crucial to the microstructure displayed by this kind of material.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 919-921 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1989 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)