Magnetic anisotropy induced by field applied during deposition in sputtered amorphous CoZr-rare earth thin films

The formation of coherent magnetic anisotropy is investigated in amorphous (Co/sub 0.93/Zr/sub 0.07/)/sub 100-x/ (RE)/sub x/ (RE=rare earth) films as a function of the magnitude of the magnetic field, H/sub d/, applied during deposition. The direction of the induced anisotropy depends upon the peculiar rare earth substituted. For RE=Sm and Gd, a biaxial anisotropy is formed composed of a perpendicular anisotropy, K/sub p/, and of K/sub u/. The development of K/sub p/ is linked to H/sub d/. K/sub p/ is negligible for very small H/sub d/, and increases strongly. The short range chemical inhomogeneities are progressively suppressed as H/sub d/ is increased. A mechanism is suggested to explain the results.<
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