Magnetostriction, Soft Magnetism, and Microwave Properties in Co−Fe−C Alloy Films

Films of the ferromagnetic alloy Co-Fe-B in general perform very nicely at room temperature and have been widely used, but not in magnetoelectric devices or microwave applications, because of unfavorable magnetostriction, Gilbert damping, and thermal tolerance. Here the authors instead use carbon-doped Co${}_{0.5}$Fe${}_{0.5}$ to create a Co-Fe-C film with high magnetostriction, low Gilbert damping, and high thermal stability. This work provides insight into the basic aspects of Co-Fe-C as a promising candidate for use in voltage-tunable magnetoelectric devices and microwave devices.