Soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism study of electroless-deposited CoNiFe ternary alloy soft magnetic films

摘要

We studied microscopic magnetic properties of each consistent atom in boron added CoNiFe electroless-deposited soft magnetic films, which is a promising candidate for the soft magnetic underlayer of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium, by X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) measurement. It was found that various monoxides and Fe sesquioxide coexisted with the metals at the upper part of the films. The results of MCD sum rule showed the expected values of orbital angular moment < L_Z > for the film with macroscopic magnetic domain boundaries were larger than those of without domains at Co and Ni atoms and smaller at Fe atom. The appearance of macroscopic magnetic domain boundaries probably originated from the increase in < L_Z > of Co and/or Ni atoms.