Vector magnetometer studies of the easy magnetisation direction in epitaxially grown DyFe2 film

A vector vibrating sample magnetometer has been used to determine the direction of easy magnetisation in a thin film of DyFe2. The 4000 A thick film, with a [1 1 0] growth direction, was prepared using molecular beam epitaxy. The results show that the direction of easy magnetisation is temperature dependent. At 4 K this direction corresponds to the [0 0 1] type axes. But at 290 K, the easy axis is close to a [1-bar 1 0] direction, but pointing out of the plane of the film at angle of ∼(14±3) deg. . On the basis of the vector magnetometer results at 290 K we find two easy magnetisation axes close to [3-bar 5 0] or [5-bar 3 0] (and opposite directions). Finally, it is shown that DyFe2 films are unique in that the remanent magnetisation can be manipulated to point either in or out of the plane of the film