Growth, structural, and magnetic characterizations of nanocrystalline gamma(')-FeNiN(220) thin films

The authors have developed a fabrication process of nanocrystalline gamma'-FeNiN[220] thin ferromagnetic films by using a dual ion beam sputtering system. The films show well defined in-plane magnetic uniaxial anisotropy, with high anisotropy field and high macroscopic saturation magnetization, requisites of crucial importance for high-frequency applications. The estimated ferromagnetic resonance frequency goes within the gigahertz regime, and the magnetic response can be tailored by the deposition conditions. Element-selective measurements reveal a reduction of the total Fe and Ni magnetic moments in gamma'-FeNiN with respect to pure Fe and Ni due to hybridization between Fe and Ni 3d and N 2p states. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.