Magnetic Properties of Electrodeposited FeGa/CoFeB Multilayered Films and Nanowire Arrays

Results concerning the preparation and magnetic characterization of electrochemically deposited [Fe80Ga20/Co75Fe10B15](n) multilayered films and nanowire arrays are reported for the first time. The deposition bath consisted in a single mixed solution of FeSO4 center dot 7H(2)O, Ga-2(SO4)(3)center dot H2O, CoSO4 center dot 7H(2)O, C2H10BN, and H3BO3. The layers have been deposited successively by changing the electrodeposition potential. The composition and thickness of the different layers were tailored through optimizing deposition parameters such as buffer additives and applied voltage. Two hundred sequences multilayered nanowires were electrodeposited into commercially available nanoporous alumina membranes with pore diameters of 100 nm and lengths of 50 mu m. Multilayered films 4-5 mu m thick have been obtained by electrodepositing 50 consecutive sequences of FeGa and CoFeB. The multilayered structures consisting FeGa magnetostrictive alloy and CoFeB amorphous magnetic material are magnetically soft (H-c does not exceed 1.6 kA/m).