language: en

[Confidential: not for distribution. Submitted to IOP Publishing for peer review]

19 November 2009

Bistable FeCoMoB microwires with nanocrystalline microstructure and increased Curie temperature

P. Klein 1 , R. Varga 1 , P. Vojtanik 1 , J. Kovac 2 , J. Ziman 3 , G. A. Badini-Confalonieri 4 , and M. Vazquez 4
1 Inst. Phys., Fac. Sci., UPJS,
Park Angelinum 9, 041 54 Kosice, Slovakia
2 Inst. Exp. Physics, SAS,
Watsonova 47, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia
3 Dept. of Physics, FEI TUKE,
Park Komenskeho 2, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia
4 ICMM CSIC, Campus de Cantoblanco,
28049 Madrid, Spain

Abstract.-Novel nanocrystalline glass-coated Fe 40 Co 38 Mo 4 B 18 microwires are introduced. They combine advantages of nanocrystalline alloys exhibiting simultaneously increased Curie temperature and magnetic bistability, which is required for modern sensoric and spintronic devices. Positive magnetostriction of the crystalline FeCo grains results in a magnetic bistability, whereas good soft magnetic properties remains stabilized. As a result of mechanical stress induced by the glass-coating, the optimum temperature range for thermal treatment is enhanced up to 600 o C.

Keywords: Magnetic microwires, domain wall, switching field, nanocrystalline materials. PACS: 75.30.Gw; 75.50.Tt; 75.60.Ej

[Corresponding author: Dr. R. Varga, Inst. Phys., Faculty of Science University of Pavol Jozef Safarik Park Angelinum 9, 041 54 Kosice Slovakia]

E-mail: rvarga@upjs.sk 1. Introduction