Deposition techniques, magnetic film

Figure 17 gives two examples of cluster film structure (a) clusters are embedded in matrix by co-deposition or, (b) isolated by a matrix via multilayering. The ability of the deposition technique to independently control these parameters makes it ideal for systematic studies of magnetic clusters. In this section, some recent work on FePt Ag and FePt C cluster films from our laboratory are reviewed. 

RE-TM-based films. - The deposition techniques (sputtering or PLD - pulsed laser deposition) have been used successfully to prepare SmCo5 and Nd2Fel4B nanoparticles [38, 39]. After room temperature deposition, the nanoparticles are amorphous. The desired crystal structure and magnetic properties are obtained through application of a post-deposition annealing treatment. Due to the high reactivity of the materials, this constitutes a non trivial task. 

Finally electro-deposition is a high rate deposition technique but its applicability is restricted to a limited number of systems. FePt films can be electro-deposited at rates up to a few p/h but the magnetic properties remain low [143],... 

Currently it appears that further research on electrochemical deposition of magnetic thin films is of academic interest only. This research can be very useful in developing new structures and new ideas that can be later adopted by physical techniques of deposition. Recent developments in this area include work on longitudinal and perpendicular magnetic recording media [158,159]. 

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