Co-Sm (1̄100)[0001]//Cr (1̄21̄ )[1̄01] epitaxy and its effects on magnetic properties of Co-Sm//Cr films

Abstract
It is well known that the Cr underlayer plays a critical role in generating large in-plane coercivity in Co-based magnetic thin films. In this paper we report in detail the Co-Sm (1̄ 100)[0001]//Cr (1̄ 21̄)[1̄ 01] epitaxy revealed by high resolution electron microscopy. The lattice mismatch between Co-Sm (1̄ 100) and Cr (1̄ 21̄) is less than 2%, suggesting an energetically favorable configuration. The high anisotropy observed in Co-Sm films is discussed by this epitaxial relation. © 1996 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(96)15308-6]