Tailoring the magnetic anisotropy of cobalt-gold thin films

Abstract

Magnetic cobalt-gold thin films $(Co_x;Au_{(1-x)})$ are grown on silicon (100) surfaces by using a sputterdeposition technique. Magnetic anisotropy of the films is investigated by ferromagnetic resonance (FMR). Magneticproperties are explored by micromagnetic simulations based on the metropolis algorithm. Effective magnetic anisotropyis gradually increased with Co concentration. In-plane axial anisotropy exists for all samples and it is enhanced with aCo concentration of ∼40%, corresponding optimal cluster size, and intercluster separation. Segregation and coalescenceof Co clusters caused by different Co concentrations strongly affect magnetic properties of the thin films. Therefore, thestudy revealed that magnetic behavior of $Co_x;Au_{(1-x)}$ thin films can be tuned by changing Co concentration.