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

It is well known that the Cr underlayer plays a critical role in generating large in-plane coercivity in Go-based magnetic thin films. In this paper we report in detail the Co-Sm (<(1)over bar 100>)[0001]//Cr (<(1)over bar 2>(1) over bar)[<(1)over bar 01>] epitaxy revealed by high resolution electron microscopy. The lattice mismatch between Co-Sm (<(1)over bar 100>) and Cr(<(1)over bar 2>(1) over bar) is less than 2%, suggesting an energetically favorable configuration. The high anisotropy observed in Co-Sm films is discussed by this epitaxial relation. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.