Ultra-Thin Nd$_2$Fe$_14$B Films With Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy

Abstract

Nd $_2$ Fe $_14$ B films with thickness as thin as 5 nm have been successfully prepared with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). The coercive mechanism and the effects of Ta underlayer for Nd–Fe–B layer have been studied. A 5 nm thick film with perpendicular coercivity of 8.4 kOe and in-plane coercivity 0.3 kOe have been prepared onto Ta underlayer with thickness of 20 nm. The results show that Nd $_2$ Fe $_14$ B thin films are prominent candidates for perpendicular recording media.