Co-Sm (1̅100)[0001]//Cr (1̅21̅)[ 1̅01] epitaxy and its effects on magnetic properties of Co-Sm//Cr films

Authors

Yi Liu, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
David J. Sellmyer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
B. W. Robertson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

4-15-1996

Comments

Published by American Institute of Physics. J. Applied Physics 79, 5333 (1996). ©1996 American Institute of Physics. Permission to use. http://jap.aip.org/jap/.

Abstract

It is well known that the Cr underlayer plays a critical role in generating large in-plane coercivity in Co-based magnetic thin films. In this paper we report in detail the Co-Sm (1̅100)[0001]//Cr (1̅21̅)[ 1̅01] epitaxy revealed by high resolution electron microscopy. The lattice mismatch between Co-Sm (1̅100) and Cr (1̅21̅) is less than 2%, suggesting an energetically favorable configuration. The high anisotropy observed in Co-Sm films is discussed by this epitaxial relation.