Phase formation, thermal stability and magnetic moment of cobalt nitride thin films

• DOI: 10.1063/1.4930977
• Publication Date: 2015-09-11T16:47:05Z
• Authors: Rachana Gupta; Nidhi Pandey; Akhil Tayal; Mukul Gupta
• Keywords: Lattice constant

Cobalt nitride (Co-N) thin films prepared using a reactive magnetron sputtering process are studied in this work. During the film deposition process, relative nitrogen gas flow (RN2) was varied. As RN2 increases, Co(N), Co4N, Co3N and CoN phases formed. An incremental increase RN2, after emergence of Co4N phase at = 10%, results linear lattice constant (a) Co4N. For 30%, maximizes becomes comparable to its theoretical value. expansion an enhancement magnetic moment, extent that it even larger than pure Co. Such metal moment for tetra-metal nitrides (M4N) have been theoretically predicted. Incorporation N atoms M4N configuration (relative metal) enhances itinerary conduction band electrons leading compounds. Though higher (than Fe) Fe4N has evidenced experimentally, Co) is