ROTATIONAL HYSTERESIS AND MAGNETIZATION CURLING OF FE-AL THIN-FILMS OBTAINED BY MAGNETRON SPUTTERING

Magnetic characteristics (magnetization, magnetic anisotropy, rotational hysteresis energy loss, rotational hysteresis integral) of Fe100-xAlx films have been measured (for x = 18.2 and 24.2) to further make clear the effect of atomic ordering on their macroscopic properties. The results are discussed in terms of the presence of a fine-domain DO3 ordered phase, dispersed within a disordered a matrix. The rotational hysteresis loss dependence W-r = f(H) shows a two-peak shape and anisotropy fields have been inferred corresponding to the two phases. The shape anisotropy energy of the dispersed ordered domains (5.5 X 10(7) erg/cm(3)), as well as of the matrix (less than or equal to 1.5 X 10(4) erg/cm(3)) have been evaluated. The volume fractions of the ordered domains were calculated as 0,19% and 0.23% for x = 18.2 and 24.2 respectively. The experimental results suggest that the changes in magnetization of the investigated films occur mainly by curling mechanism.