Effect of microstructure on magnetic properties and anisotropy distributions in Co/Pd thin films and nanostructures

Published

November 19, 2009

Author(s)

Justin M. Shaw, Hans T. Nembach, Thomas J. Silva, Stephen E. Russek, Roy H. Geiss

Abstract

The structure of Co/Pd multilayers has a strong effect on the localized anisotropy distribution within a film and the resulting switching properties of nanostructures fabricated from identical material. By varying the underlying seed layer, the microstructure can be controlled from being highly (111) textured to having a random grain orientation. We find a strong correlation between the lateral homogeneity of grain orientations and the localized anisotropy distribution in the material. X-ray diffraction and reflectivity indicate that the interface is better defined and more uniform in the textured case, consistent with the presence of a strong interface-like anisotropy.

Citation

Physical Review B

Volume

80

Issue

18

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

magnetic nanostructures, Perpendicular anisotropy, multilayers, bit patterned media, Co/Pd

Citation

Shaw, J. , Nembach, H. , Silva, T. , Russek, S. and Geiss, R. (2009), Effect of microstructure on magnetic properties and anisotropy distributions in Co/Pd thin films and nanostructures, Physical Review B, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=903594 (Accessed October 23, 2025)