Structural and magnetic properties of Al/Fe multilayers deposited by ion beam sputtering

Al/Fe multilayers were deposited using an ion-assisted ion-beam sputtering technique. X-ray diffraction at high angles showed peaks corresponding to the aluminum f.c.c. phase with a lattice parameter equal to that of bulk aluminum. Peaks from the iron b.c.c. phase were observed and the lattice parameter based on these peaks was calculated to be 2.94 A. The absence of satellite peaks is attributed to the small grain size. The low angle diffraction pattern showed three orders of peaks. Investigation of the magnetic properties using a vibrating sample magnetometer and ferromagnetic resonance showed a moderately reduced moment for iron when compared with bulk iron. (orig.)