The effect of Cu doping on the ordering of FexPt1-x thin films

(FexPt1-x)(100-y)Cu-y(x = 0.46-0.56, y = 0,0.04,0.12) thin films with a fixed thickness of 50nm have been prepared by magnetron sputtering. The atomic ratio of Fe to Pt atoms was accurately controlled by DC co-sputtering. The ordering parameter of the L1(0) phase is not enhanced for the films with x > 0.52. On the contrary, the ordering process is improved by the Addition of Cu for the Pt-rich or stoichiometric thin films. In order to get the ordering of FePt films at a low annealing temperature, the lower the Fe content, the more addition of Cu is needed. It is found that the L1(0) phase can be obtained after annealing at 350 degrees C for 20 min only for films with the ratio of the (FeCu)/Pt in the range of 1.1-1.2.