Effects of Tb content on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Co85−XTbXDy15 films

The Co85-XTbXDy15 films (x = 0-24 at% ) were prepared at room temperature by DC magnetron sputtering. Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated that all the films were amorphous. The magnetization measurement revealed that increasing Tb content would reduce the saturation magnetization M-s of the film but the out-plane coercivity H-c perpendicular to was increased. The M-s and H-c perpendicular to values of the Co85Dy15 film (x = 0 at%) were about 640 emu/cm(3) and 50 Oe; respectively. However, the M-s and H-c perpendicular to values of the Co61Tb24Dy15 film (x = 24 at%) were about 20 emu/cm(3) and 10 kOe; respectively. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.