POLARIZING TI(1-U)X(U)/FEXCOYVZ SUPERMIRRORS

Polarizing multilayers and supermirrors composed of Ti(1-u)X(u) and FexCoyVz have been produced using DC-magnetron sputtering. The structure of the samples has been characterized by neutron and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the smoothness of the layers can be improved by adding controlled amounts of alloying materials, an effect that has already been observed for Ni/Ti supermirrors. Flipping ratios of more than 40 and reflectivities of more than 85% at twice the critical angle of Ni are obtained, depending on the concentrations of the materials, u, x, y, z. The sputtering process can be optimized in such a way that the magnetization within the plane is anisotropic, thus allowing a saturation of the samples in low fields.