MAGNETIC AND STRUCTURAL STUDIES IN SPUTTERED CO/C MULTILAYERS

Co/C multilayers have been prepared by triode sputtering under controlled conditions. Their structural and magnetic and FMR properties have been investigated. For t(Co] < 4 nm an amorphous-like structure is formed which upon annealing goes to hexagonal Co2C phase. Hexagonal structure is obtained for t(Co) > 6 nm, The magnetization decreases and steeply for t(Co) < 6 nm. In-plane uniaxial anisotropy is induced in the multilayers and which depends on t(C). Hcdecreases with t(Co). In-plane uniaxial anisotropy 1s induced by layering. FMR studies show that perpendicular anisotropy is present for t(Co) > 8 nm and easy plane for t(Co) < 8 nm. © 1990 IEEE