Magnetic Hardening: Unveiling Magnetization Dynamics in Soft Magnetic Fe–Ni–B–Nb Thin Films at Cryogenic Temperatures

TL;DR

This paper explores how the magnetic properties of a special alloy change at very low temperatures, revealing new insights into how its structure affects its magnetism.

Contribution

The study reveals magnetic hardening in Fe–Ni–B–Nb thin films at cryogenic temperatures, challenging existing models and suggesting spin-glass-like behavior.

Findings

Coercivity increases significantly below 25 K in heterogeneous amorphous thin films.

Field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetizations show strong irreversibility at low temperatures.

Spin-glass-like features are attributed to exchange frustration in disordered interfacial regions.

Abstract

Recent advancements in amorphous materials have opened new avenues for exploring unusual magnetic phenomena at the sub-nanometer scale. We investigate the phenomenon of low-temperature “magnetic hardening” in heterogeneous amorphous Fe–Ni–B–Nb thin films, revealing a complex interplay between microstructure and magnetism. Magnetization hysteresis measurements at cryogenic temperatures show a significant increase in coercivity (HC) below 25 K, challenging the conventional Random Anisotropy Model (RAM) in predicting magnetic responses at cryogenic temperatures. Heterogeneous films demonstrate a distinct behavior in field-cooled and zero-field-cooled temperature-dependent magnetizations at low temperatures, characterized by strong irreversibility. This suggests spin-glass-like features at low temperatures, which are attributed to exchange frustration in disordered interfacial regions. These regions hinder direct exchange coupling between magnetic entities, leading to magnetic hardening. This study enhances the understanding of how microstructural intricacies impact magnetic dynamics in heterogeneous amorphous thin films at cryogenic temperatures.

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