Giant magnetoimpedance in rapidly quenched materials

Abstract We present an overview of the factors as well as post processing tools allowing optimization of magnetic softness and GMI effect of rapidly quenched materials: microwires and ribbons. Generally, low coercivity and high GMI effect have been observed in as-prepared Co-rich compositions. Annealing at adequate conditions can be very effective for manipulation of the magnetic properties and GMI effect of amorphous and nanocrystalline rapidly quenched materials. After annealing of Co-rich compositions, we can observe transformation of inclined hysteresis loops to rectangular. However, at certain annealing conditions GMI effect can be improved. Using stress-annealing, GMI effect of both Fe-rich and Co-rich microwires as well as of amorphous ribbons can be improved. On the other hand, in Fe-rich FeCuNbSiB microwires after appropriate annealing we observed considerable magnetic softening and GMI effect enhancement. The other promising post-processing allowing GMI effect optimization is Joule heating.