SOFT MAGNETISM OF Co-Zr AND Fe-Co FILMS WITH LARGE SATURATION MAGNETIZATION

Large saturation magnetization $4pM_s$ is essentially required for soft magnetic thin layers used in magnetic recording devices. Amorphous Co-based alloys and Fe-Co alloys may be regarded as one of the candidates for soft magnetic materials which possess large $4\piM_s$. Some preparation process to improve soft magnetism of these films were performed in this study. Addition of Ta seemed to be effective to change the magnetostriction constant $\lambda$ from positive value to negative one. The magnetoelastic energy $K_e$ is strongly dependent on $\lambda$. $(Co_{95.7}Zr_{4.3})_{100-x}Ta_x$ films with $K_e$ of negative value have sufficiently soft magnetic characteristics. $Fe_{90}Co_{10}$ alloy exhibits extremely large $4\piM_s$, of about 24 kG. Addition of N and Ta to $Fe_{90}Co_{10}$ films improved the soft magnetism of them. The $Fe_{82.0}Co_{7.6}Ta_{10.4}$:N/Ti multilayered films exhibit better soft magnetic properties and better thermal stability than Fe-Co-Ta:N singlelayer films.