DEPENDENCE OF THE MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF CO/PD MULTILAYERED FILMS ON THE STRUCTURAL PARAMETERS ESTIMATED ACCURATELY BY X-RAY-DIFFRACTION

In this study, Co/Pd multilayered films with a few atomic layers of Co were prepared by alternating deposition in an ultrahigh-vacuum physical-vapor-deposition system. The structural parameters were estimated accurately making use of only the angular positions of x-ray diffraction peaks. The magnetic properties were found to vary greatly depending on Pd predeposition and Pd-sublayer thicknesses as well as Co-sublayer thickness. The Pd-predeposited films were found to have a remarkably high coercivity of 4723 Oe and a greatly enhanced interfacial magnetic anisotropy of 0.72 mJ/m2, which indicates an excellent potential as a magneto-optical recording medium.