Magnetization study to probe the effect of N2+ irradiation on Fe/Co bilayers

TL;DR

This study investigates how nitrogen-ion irradiation affects the magnetic properties of Fe/Co bilayers, revealing changes in coercivity and magnetic symmetry after irradiation, which could influence magnetic device applications.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the magnetic property modifications of Fe/Co bilayers caused by nitrogen-ion irradiation, highlighting the formation of FeCo solid solutions at the interface.

Findings

Irradiation causes a small increase in coercivity.

Magnetization exhibits two-fold uniaxial symmetry in as-deposited samples.

Irradiated samples show a slight shift in magnetic symmetry.

Abstract

Fe/Co bilayers were made using ion beam sputtering and then were subjected to nitrogen-ion irradiation to explore the influence of irradiation on their magnetic properties. Magnetization studies of Fe/Co bilayers along with their irradiated counterparts were then performed. The magnetization and coercivity of the as-deposited sample exhibited a two-fold uniaxial symmetry while the behavior for high temperature irradiated sample depicts a small shift in the two fold behavior. The magnetization data measured with the magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of the film exhibited a hysteresis in both the case of the irradiated sample as well as as-deposited sample. A small increase in coercivity for the irradiated sample was observed which is due to various reasons including formation of FeCo solid solution due to ion irradiation at the interface.