Magnetic Anisotropy in Evaporated Iron Films

Abstract

A torque method has been used to measure the magnetic anisotropy of iron films deposited from the vapor at various incident angles on glass substrates. The anisotropy is found to be largest in films prepared with large incident angles and low substrate temperatures. A theoretical calculation of the anisotropy expected in an iron film with a [111] fiber axis has been made for various angles of the fiber axis and as a function of stress in the film. The theoretically calculated values are not only an order of magnitude lower than most measured anisotropies, but they always have the worng sign. Iron films deposited on rocksalt exhibit anisotropies before and after removal from the substrate which indicate that the anisotropy is affected by cold-working but not by stress relief. It is concluded that the magnetic anisotropy in iron films is primarily related to the faulted regions formed in the films during deposition and not to stress or the proposed fiber axis structure. © 1960 The American Institute of Physics.