MAGNETIC-PROPERTIES OF MAGNETRON SPUTTERED CO-CR THIN-FILMS

The magnetic properties of magnetron sputtered Co-22 at.% Cr films of various thickness deposited on glass have been examined, with particular attention to the various contributions to the film anisotropy. The magnetization is initially inplane and retains in-plane components up to a thickness of approximately 50 nm, after which it is predominantly out-of-plane. The effects of in-plane film stress are reflected in the effective anisotropy field and are most evident in the thinner films, where the stress is highest. The in-plane coercivity values appear to be related to the presence of definite microstructural features, which can act as obstacles to domain wall motion. The out-of-plane coercivity is more anisotropy dependent, suggesting that rotation may be involved. These and other results are discussed.