The Magnetic Behavior of Nickel and Iron Films Condensed in Vacuum upon Various Metal Backings

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The magnetic nature of evaporated iron and nickel films deposited on various kinds of backings was investigated to determine the effect of the two-dimensional strain which the backing must impose upon the film due to differential thermal contraction. The films were, of necessity, deposited at elevated temperatures and measured at room temperature. The temperature of deposit was varied. Nickel samples deposited on backings which place the film under tension were found to be extremely hard, magnetically, while compression made the film comparatively soft. The magnetic intensity of iron samples in general was not changed markedly by these stresses. All the samples were harder than bulk metal. The method used to describe the results shows that films deposited at higher temperatures are more like annealed bulk metal, rather than less so as others have concluded. Extreme precautions were taken to deposit the films under gas free conditions so that it was possible to be sure that the abnormal hardness of films deposited at ordinary temperatures was due to the different manner in which the metal condenses and not due to the presence of gas. A novel arrangement of the magnetizing coil of a sensitive astatic magnetometer used for the magnetic measurements is described.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: