Structural and magnetic properties of FePd and CoPd alloy epitaxial thin films grown on MgO single-crystal substrates with different orientations

Abstract FePd and CoPd alloy thin films were prepared on MgO single-crystal substrates of (001) B 1 , (110) B 1 , and (111) B 1 orientations at 600 °C by ultra high vacuum rf magnetron sputtering. L 1 0 -FePd(001) films with the c -axis perpendicular to the substrate surface are obtained on MgO(001) B 1 substrates. FePd epitaxial films consisting of L 1 0 (110) and L 1 0 (011) crystals are formed on MgO(110) B 1 substrates. The c -axis of L 1 0 (110) crystal is parallel to the substrate surface, whereas that of L 1 0 (011) crystal is 44° canted from perpendicular direction. L 1 0 -FePd(111) films with the c -axis 54° canted from the perpendicular direction are formed on MgO(111) B 1 substrates. L 1 0 ordering degree of these FePd films varies depending on the substrate orientation. On the other hand, disordered CoPd thin films of (001) A 1 , (110) A 1 , and (111) A 1 orientations epitaxially grow on MgO substrates of (001) B 1 , (110) B 1 , and (111) B 1 orientations, respectively. The magnetization properties of L 1 0 ordered FePd and A 1 disordered CoPd thin films are influenced by the crystal structure, the ordering degree, and the film orientation.