Controlling microstructure and magnetization process of FePd (001) films by staged thermal modification

Staged thermal modifications on the microstructure and magnetic characterizations of epitaxial FePd films have been investigated, while the optimum composition for FePd (001) films with the highest ordering degree was Fe52Pd48. For the FePd films directly grown at the low temperature of 400 degrees C, the isolated islandlike morphology was observed and displayed a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy with the coercivity value of 8000 Oe. On the other hand, the FePd films grown at 100 degrees C and then postannealed at 400 degrees C showed continuous surface and with a lower remanence corresponded to the alternate up and down orientations of the magnetization due to stripe domains formation. The significant distinction in magnetic exhibition of the FePd (001) films was due to the marked change in magnetic domain structures and surface morphology caused by varied interfacial energy during staged thermal modifications. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3246795]