Abstract
Ion-beam mixing and isothermal annealing techniques were applied to induce phase transformations in Co/Nb and Co/Zr multilayer film stacks. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and x-ray diffraction(XRD) were used to characterize the microstructure of the films. Interfacial morphology and chemistry of the films were examined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry(RBS) and cross-section transmission electron microscopy(XTEM). The formation of amorphous phases was found in both systems by either technique. A comparison of the phase transformation mechanisms induced by ion-beam mixing and isothermal annealing is given. The thermodynamic and kinetic factors controlling the phase formation and stability are discussed. For the isothermal annealing, the final stable configuration is predicted by equilibrium phase diagrams.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
R. B. Schwarz and W. L. Johnson, Phys. Rev. Lett. 51, 415 (1983).
J. Gfeller, A. Blatter and U. Kambli, J. Less-Comm. Metals 145, 105 (1988).
H. U. Krebs and K. Samwer, Europhys. Lett. 2, 141 (1986).
R. Bruning, Z. Altounian, J. O. Strom-Olesen and L. Schultz, Mater. Sci Eng. 97, 317 (1988).
Y. T. Cheng, M. Van Rossum, M.-A. Nicolet and W. L. Johnson, Appl. Phys. Lett. 45, 185 (1985).
Metals Handbook Vol. 8, 8th ed. (American Society for Metals, Ohio, 1973).
L. Kaufman and H. Bernstein, Computer Calculation of Phase Diagrams (Academic Press, New York, 1976).
F. Sommer, T. Lang and B. Predel, Z. Metallkd. 78, 648 (1987).
A. Blatter and M. von Allmen, Mater. Sci. Eng. 97, 93 (1988).
N. S. Kazama, H. Fujimori and H. Hirose, IEEE Trans. Magn. 18, 1185 (1982).
B. J. Piearcey, R. Jackson and B. B. Argent, J. Inst. Metals 91, 257 (1962–1963).
E. Hellstern and L. Schultz, Phil. Mag.B 56, 443 (1987).
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Professor G. S. Was and Dr. V. H. Rotberg at University of Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory for ion beam mixing and RBS measurements. They also thank N. J. Panseri for film deposition and J. J. Ptasienski for assistance with the TEM micrographs.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lin, J.C., Hoffman, R.A. Phase Transformations in Co/Nb and Co/Zr Multilayer Film Stacks.. MRS Online Proceedings Library 230, 73–78 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-230-73
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-230-73