Tailoring of magnetic anisotropy in amorphous and nanocrystalline soft magnetic alloys using swift heavy ions

Amorphous films of Fe0.85N0.15 and Fe73.9Cu0.9Nb3.1Si 13.2B8.9 have been prepared by using ion-beam sputtering. Magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) and Moessbauer measurement shows that the FeN film has a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy while the finemet film has a uniaxial in-plane anisotropy. The anisotropy in as-deposited state may be attributed to some quenched-in stresses present in the film during deposition. Films have been irradiated with Ag and Au ions of different energies. In both the films, irradiation results in gradual removal of anisotropy and a decrease in coercivity, which may be attributed to relaxation of internal stresses. This demonstrates that swift heavy ions can be used for controlled modification of magnetic properties of thin films