Columnar structured FePt films epitaxially grown on large lattice mismatched intermediate layer

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Physics

Background:

• FePt films are crucial for high-density magnetic storage media.
• Controlling the microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt films is essential for device performance.
• Intermediate layers play a significant role in the epitaxy and magnetic behavior of FePt films.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of a zirconium nitride (ZrN) intermediate layer on the microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt films.
• To explore the epitaxial relationships between FePt, ZrN, and TiN layers.
• To optimize FePt film properties by doping ZrN into TiN intermediate layers for improved perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of FePt films on ZrN/TiN intermediate layers.
• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for structural analysis and epitaxial relationship determination.
• Magnetic property measurements to assess anisotropy and isolation.

Main Results:

• FePt films grown on ZrN intermediate layers exhibited (001) texture with some (110) texture.
• Good epitaxial relationships (FePt//ZrN//TiN) were observed.
• FePt-SiO2-C films on ZrN/TiN showed isotropic magnetic properties but columnar structures with smaller grain size and improved isolation.
• Doping ZrN into TiN formed ZrTiN solid solution, modifying lattice constants.
• FePt-SiO2-C films on ZrN-doped TiN showed enhanced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy while retaining columnar structure and small grain size.

Conclusions:

• ZrN intermediate layers promote columnar FePt structures with enhanced isolation.
• Doping ZrN into TiN intermediate layers is an effective strategy to achieve improved perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in FePt-SiO2-C films.
• The findings offer insights into optimizing FePt-based magnetic materials for advanced storage applications.