Iron nitride thin films with high coercivity and good corrosion resistance

Iron nitride (FeN) thin films prepared by an Ion-assisted Vapor Deposition method have been characterized by magnetic properties and corrosion resistance. Magnetic properties are strongly dependent on the nitrogen concentration and on the minimum incidence angle of deposited iron particles. As a result of corrosion tests, FeN films exhibit superior corrosion resistance to that of Fe film. Consequently, with respect to these points of view, FeN films are suitable for high-density magnetic recording media.