Enhanced in-plane anisotropy of Tb–Fe thin films by Sm addition

Abstract

Effects of Sm on the magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of Tb–Fe thin films are investigated. Four alloy systems, RxFe100−x (R=Tb+Sm) with x=39.8, 41.9, 43.7, and 45.8, are examined with Sm content varied from 0 (Sm free) to 2.2 at. %. In-plane anisotropy is found to be enhanced by the addition of Sm and the strongest in-plane anisotropy occurs in the Sm content range of 1 to 2 at. % depending on R content. At low magnetic fields of 1000 Oe and below, magnetostriction increases significantly with increasing Sm content, and reaches a maximum at an intermediate Sm content where well-developed in-plane anisotropy is observed. At higher magnetic fields of 3000–5000 Oe, however, no substantial improvement of magnetostriction occurs with the addition of Sm. The Sm content dependences of magnetization and coercive force are also examined.