ISSN:
1089-7550
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Thin films of the ferromagnetic Heusler alloy NiMnSb, of interest for magnetic multilayer devices because of their predicted half-metallic (i.e., 100% spin-polarized) transport properties, have been successfully deposited by rf magnetron sputtering from a single composite target. A novel combination of low argon gas pressure, low deposition rates, and moderate substrate temperatures (250–350 °C) are shown to result in high-quality, low-roughness polycrystalline films of the C1b-type crystal structure, with thicknesses as low as 100 Å, without the need for any post-deposition annealing. The structural properties of these films, determined by x-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy are presented as a function of deposition conditions. The magnetic properties and resistivity are consistent with bulk MiMnSb, which suggests that they will be effective as spin-polarized conducting layers in multilayer thin-film structures. © 1997 American Institute of Physics.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.363977
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