The Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy of CoPt/Au Multilayer Films

Authors

• T. Yokota, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
• Lei Gao, University of KansasFollow
• R. Zhang, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
• Leighann Nicholl, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
• M. L. Yan, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
• David J. Sellmyer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Sy-Hwang Liou, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2-2005

Comments

Published in Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 286 (February 2005), pp. 301–305; in “Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Metallic Multilayers”; doi 10.1016/j.jmmm.2004.09.142 Copyright © 2004 Elsevier B.V. Used by permission. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03048853

Abstract

We have studied the magnetic properties of Au (2 nm)/Co₅₀Pt₅₀ (3 nm)/Au (2 nm) multilayer films prepared on amorphous Al₂O₃/Si and (0 0 1) MgO substrates. The as-deposited films on both substrates are magnetically soft with an FCC structure and exhibit a perpendicular anisotropy. After annealing at 500 °C, the sample on the Al₂O₃/Si substrate has become magnetically isotropic but the sample on the MgO substrate still has perpendicular anisotropy with FCT structure. This film deposited on the MgO substrate did not show a strong perpendicular anisotropy due to the diffusion of the Au and the (1 1 1) nucleation of initial Au layer. We can obtain a perpendicular anisotropy in the multilayer films without an initial Au layer on a (0 0 1) MgO substrate. After annealing at 400 °C, these films have L1₀ phase with (0 0 1) texture and strong perpendicular anisotropy.