Magnetic hysteresis control in thin film Fe/Si multilayers by incorporation of B4C

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2502.08327
• Publication Date: 2025-02-12
• Authors: Anton Zubayer; Τakayasu Hanashima; Jun Sugiyama; Anna L. David; Xianjie Liu; Naureen Ghafoor; Jochen Stahn; Artur Glavic; Yasukazu Murakami; Takehiro Tamaoka; Y. Tomita; Mitsunari Auchi; Jens Birch; Mats Fahlman; Fredrik Eriksson
• Keywords: Hysteresis

Magnetic hysteresis properties in Fe/Si multilayers have been studied as a function of the B4C content to control magnetization amplitude, coercivity, and tilt, that are beneficial tune for advancing applications e.g. data storage, spintronics, sensors. With an ion-assisted magnetron sputtering technique, 35 distinct thin film multilayer samples were prepared their magnetic structural characterized by vibrating sample magnetometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, near edge absorption fine structure neutron scattering methods. Key findings indicate adding lowers coercivity can decrease saturation magnetization, demonstrating tunability responses based on composition. For with =30{\AA} periodicity, 10-15% addition produces antiferromagnetically (AF) coupled multilayers, such AF coupling strength increases content. Our reveal B atoms do not chemically bind within Fe but instead occupy interstitial positions, disrupting medium- long-range crystallinity thereby inducing amorphization. Thereon, observed effects directly attributed this amorphization process caused presence B4C. The demonstrated ability finely adjust varying offers promising approach overcome challenges device performance efficiency.