Deviations from bulk behavior in TbFe(Co) thin films: Interfaces contribution in the biased composition

Abstract

Ferrimagnetic TbFe or TbFeCo amorphous alloy thin films have been grown by coevaporation in ultrahigh vacuum. They exhibit an out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy up to their Curie temperature with a nucleation and propagation reversal mechanism suitable for current induced domain wall motion. Rutherford backscattering experiments confirmed a fine control of the Tb depth-integrated composition within the evaporation process. However, a large set of experimental techniques were used to evidence an interface related contribution in such thin films as compared to much thicker samples. In particular, scanning transmission electron microscopy experiments evidence a depth dependent composition and perturbed top and bottom interfaces with preferential oxidation and diffusion of terbium. Despite that, amorphous and homogeneous alloy film remains in a bulklike part. The composition of that bulklike part of the magnetic layer, labeled as effective composition, is biased when compared with the depth-integrated composition. The magnetic properties of the film are mostly dictated by this effective composition, which we show changes with different top and bottom interfaces.