Magnetic and magnetostrictive properties in amorphous (Tb0.27Dy0.73)(Fe1-xCox)2 films

Magnetic and magnetostrictive properties have been investigated for amorphous (Tb0.27Dy0.73)(Fe1-xCox)(2) thin films. An increase in the 3d magnetic moment due to the enhancement of T-T interactions in substituted (Fe, Co) alloys was found. This leads to stronger R-(Fe, Co) exchange energies and then to enhancements of R-sublattice magnetization as well as magnetostriction in these amorphous R(Fe, Co) thin films. In addition, a well-defined in-plane anisotropy is created by magnetic-field annealing for the Co-rich films. A large magnetostriction of 480x10(-6) developed in low fields of 0.3 T was observed for films with x=0.47 after magnetic-field annealing. The differing roles of Fe and Co atoms on the magnetization process have also been discussed. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)06624-4].