Structure and Magnetic Properties of Sm(Fe0.8Co0.2)12 Thin Films by Adding Light Elements

Abstract

The effect of light elements such as B, C and N on Sm(Fe0.8Co0.2)12 alloy was investigated in detail. The highest coercivity Hc of 11.1 kOe was obtained for Sm(Fe0.8Co0.2)12-B thin fi lms with the thickness of 100 nm and B content of 11.2 at.%. From X-ray diffraction patterns, peaks from (002) and (004) of ThMn12-type phase were clearly observed for the fi lms. However, no significant improvement in magnetic properties was observed with the addition of C and N to the Sm(Fe0.8Co0.2)12 alloy, as was the case with the combined addition with B. It was confi rmed that only the addition of B contributes significantly to the improvement of magnetic properties from the result of adding light elements to this series of Sm(Fe0.8Co0.2)12 alloy.