Uniaxial anisotropy in rare earth (Gd, Ho, Tb): transition metal (Fe, Co) amorphous films

Evidence is presented that magnetic uniaxial anisotropy in amorphous RE--TM films is a more common feature than had been presumed. The incident atomic beam direction appears to define the anisotropy axis in thermally evaporated films while the electric field direction at the surface is the dominant influence in bias sputter deposition. The nature of the coupling of the magnetization to the structural anisotropy is also found to vary. (auth)