Effect of Surface Roughness on Magnetic Properties of Films

Abstract

The conditions of the surface have been found to have a profound influence on the magnetic properties of thin Permalloy films. Quantitative measurements of the surface area were determined by adsorption of a C14-labeled surfactant. Static hysteresis curves, torque curves, and ferromagnetic resonance spectra have been measured and related to surface roughness. ``Biaxial Anisotropy'' has been observed for films deposited on unidirectionally scratched substrates. The linewidth of the uniform precessional mode with the magnetic field applied parallel to the plane of the film is increased with increasing surface roughness.