Improvement in Magnetic Properties of PLD-Made Nd-Fe-B Thick Film Magnets

Coercivity of pulsed laser deposition (PLD)-fabricated Nd-Fe-B thick film magnets were enhanced by synergistic use of an additive (Zr, Nb or Ga) and an adoption of pulse annealing as a high-speed crystallization method. The role of the additives and the pulse annealing mainly work on the increase of coercivity without the deterioration of remanence and (BH)<sub>max</sub>. For example, after pulse annealing of an as-deposited film prepared from a Nd<sub>2.6</sub>Fe<sub>14</sub>B+Ga<sub>0.5</sub> <sub>at.%</sub> target, the obtained coercivity reached approximately 1700 kA/m. We also found that (BH)<sub>max</sub> value reaches approximately 70 kJ/m<sup>3</sup> by reducing Nd content and adding Zr or Nb.