Magnetic intergranular interaction in nanocomposite Co_χPt_100-χ:C thin films

Authors

Nathan D. Powers, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
M.L. Yan, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
L. Gao, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Sy_Hwang Liou, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
David J. Sellmyer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

5-15-2002

Comments

Published by American Institute of Physics. J. Appl. Phys. 91, 8641 (2002). ©2002 American Institute of Physics. Permission to use. http://jap.aip.org/jap/.

Abstract

Magnetization reversal and intergranular interactions have been studied in composite Co_χPt_100-χ:C thin films using several magnetic characterization techniques. The intergranular interactions, as determined by ΔM curves, were strongly dependent on the ratio of Co and Pt concentration. For films with high Co content, the intergranular exchange coupling was predominant, while dipolar interactions were exhibited in the film with the equiatomic concentration of Co and Pt. Magnetic intergranular interaction was directly observed using magnetic force microscopy. There is a strong correlation between the value of the ΔM and magnetic correlation length obtained from the magnetic domain images.