Co-Sm (1̅100)[0001]//Cr (1̅21̅)[ 1̅01] epitaxy and its effects on magnetic properties of Co-Sm//Cr films

It is well known that the Cr underlayer plays a critical role in generating large in-plane coercivity in Co-based magnetic thin films. In this paper we report in detail the Co-Sm (1 100)[0001]//Cr (1 21)[1 01] epitaxy revealed by high resolution electron microscopy. The lattice mismatch between Co-Sm (1 100) and Cr (1 21) is less than 2%, suggesting an energetically favorable configuration. The high anisotropy observed in Co-Sm films is discussed by this epitaxial relation. © 1996 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(96)15308-6]