Uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of amorphous Fe–B films deposited electrochemically in a magnetic field

To attempt the formation of induced uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of electrodeposited amorphous Fe–B (a-Fe–B) films, a direct current magnetic field was applied in the film plane during deposition. The easy axis of the uniaxial anisotropy was parallel to the direction of the applied magnetic field. It was found that the magnitude of the applied magnetic field necessary for the formation of induced uniaxial anisotropy is as small as 10 Oe. The composition, deposition rate, and coercivity of the films were found to be independent of the magnitude of the applied magnetic field. From scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy micrographs, no topological change of the film surface due to the application of a magnetic field was observed, indicating that the anisotropy rises from a microscopic origin such as atom pair ordering as in vacuum evaporated or sputtered amorphous Fe–B films.