MnBi Films: High-Temperature Phase Properties and Curie-Point Writing Characteristics

Abstract

Manganese bismuth films can exist in two crystallographic phases. The Curie temperatures, magneto-optical, and magnetic properties of films prepared at the quenched high-temperature phase were measured and compared with those of the films at the normal low-temperature phase. The low Curie temperature of 180°C makes the quenched films more attractive for optical memory applications. Laser Curie-point writing experiments have been performed on both types of films at various operating temperatures. The results can be explained on the basis of the physical properties of the two phases of MnBi films.