Structural and magnetic properties of [110] oriented Co5Zr hard magnetic thin films

This letter reports the growth of metastable phase Co5Zr (CZ5) in thin film form using if-magnetron sputtering without adding a stabilizing element. Thin films show [1 1 0] oriented growth on MgO (1 0 0) single-crystal substrates. X ray diffraction studies along with complementary rocking curve analysis and HRTEM imaging confirm the [1 1 0] oriented growth of films. Evolution of hard magnetic phase is clearly observed in the magnetic force microscopy images for thin film grown at 600 degrees C with similar to 1 mu m average domain size. Same sample shows optimum magnetic properties with coercivity (H-c)( )similar to 6470e, measured for field parallel to [1 1 0]. The M-H loops indicate [1 1 0] as easy axis and [0 0 1] as hard axis with anisotropy energy density (k(u)) similar to 7.8 x 10(5) erg/cm(3) and anisotropic field (H-A) similar to 3.7 kOe. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.