MAGNETIC AND DIFFUSION STUDIES IN COMPOSITIONALLY MODULATED NI/MN FILMS

Abstract

We have prepared compositionally modulated Ni/Mn films by sequential evaporation in ultrahigh vacuum and studied their magnetic properties. For thin layers of the order of 40 angstrom, the magnetic properties change with time but stabilize after a period of about six months. Auger and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis studies performed on these samples indicate strong diffusion and intermixing of nickel and manganese. From the magnetic characteristics, it is seen that in spite of diffusion the samples cannot be considered as a homogeneous alloy.