Effect of argon ion etching on the magnetic properties of FeCoB films

In this paper, a new method to modify Ta underlayers by an argon ion etching technology is introduced. Surface roughness of Ta underlayers, as well as soft magnetic properties of post-deposited FeCoB films can be improved by applying a proper ion etching process. The reduction of magnetic coercivity of FeCoB Films deposited on the modified Ta underlayers is attributed to the improvement of interfacial roughness, which can reduce magnetic ripples in magnetic films. The microwave damping linewidth of magnetic films is also found to be related to the interfacial roughness. Ta underlayers modified by the ion etching can reduce the influence of two-magnon scattering effect, and thus tune microwave properties of magnetic films. All the results prove that argon ion etching is an effective way to tailor magnetic properties of magnetic films. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.