Low Coercivity of Amorphous La-Co Films

The structure and magnetic properties of sputtered La-Co alloy films have been studied. Less than 10A/m (100mOe) coercivity can be obtained in amorphous La_100-xCo_x films around x = 80 and the coercivity of amorphous La₂₀Co₈₀ film depends on the thickness of the film. The magnetization behaviour has been examined for the films with different compositions through magnetic hysteresis loops. An excellent rectangular magnetic hysteresis loop was obtained for films with thickness less than 60nm.