Compositional dependence of the structural and magnetic properties of PtMnSb films

Nonstoichiometric, Pt deficient, PtMnSb films have been investigated for evidence of the increase in coercivity suggested by the work of Marinero [Appl. Surf. Sci. 43, 117 (1989)]. Structural, magnetic, and magneto‐optic properties of thin PtMnSb films of different compositions annealed in under 30 s using a rapid thermal processing (RTP) system [Carey et al., IEEE Meeting on Current Topics in Applied Magnetism, Keele University, 4 November 1992 (unpublished), Paper 15; J. Magn. Soc. Jpn. 17, 290 (1993)], have been determined. It is shown that the crystalline texture of the films can be controlled by adjustments in composition and RTP time and that Pt deficiency produces increases in coercivity. The production of coercivity does not correlate with the marked changes in texture but appears to be associated with the development of MnSb phases within the PtMnSb microstructure.