Granular CoPt/C and FePt/C films, consisting of nanoparticles of the highly anisotropic fct CoPt (FePt) phase embedded in a carbon matrix, were made by co-sputtering from pure Co50Pt50 (Fe50Pt50) and C targets using a tandem deposition mode. The as-made films showed a disordered face centered cubic (fcc) structure, which was magnetically soft and had low coercivity. Magnetic hardening occurred after heat treatment at elevated temperatures, which led to increase in coercivity with values up to 15 kOe. The hardening originated from the transformation of the fcc phase to a highly anisotropic face centered tetragonal phase (fct) with anisotropy K> 10(exp 7) erg/cu cm. Transmission electron microscopy studies showed FePt particles embedded in C matrix with a particle size increasing from below 5 nm in the as-made state to 15 nm in the fully annealed state. These results are very promising and make these materials potential candidates for high-density magnetic recording.

Today magnetic recording is still the leading technology for mass data storage. Its dominant role is being reinforced by the success of cloud computing, which requires storing and managing huge amounts of data on a multitude of servers. Nonetheless, the hard-disk storage industry is presently at a crossroads as the current magnetic recording techno

This five-volume handbook focuses on processing techniques, characterization methods, and physical properties of thin films (thin layers of insulating, conducting, or semiconductor material). The editor has composed five separate, thematic volumes on thin films of metals, semimetals, glasses, ceramics, alloys, organics, diamonds, graphites, porous materials, noncrystalline solids, supramolecules, polymers, copolymers, biopolymers, composites, blends, activated carbons, intermetallics, chalcogenides, dyes, pigments, nanostructured materials, biomaterials, inorganic/polymer composites, organoceramics, metallocenes, disordered systems, liquid crystals, quasicrystals, and layered structures.Thin films is a field of the utmost importance in today's materials science, electrical engineering and applied solid state physics; with both research and industrial applications in microelectronics, computer manufacturing, and physical devices.Advanced, high-performance computers, high-definition TV, digital camcorders, sensitive broadband imaging systems, flat-panel displays, robotic systems, and medical electronics and diagnostics are but a few examples of miniaturized device technologies that depend the utilization of thin film materials. The Handbook of Thin Films Materials is a comprehensive reference focusing on processing techniques, characterization methods, and physical properties of these thin film materials.

Nanostructured films and coatings possess unique properties due to both size and interface effects. They find many applications in areas such as electronics, catalysis, protection, data storage, optics and sensors. The focus of the present book is on synthesis and processing; advanced characterization techniques; properties (including mechanical, chemical, electronic, thermal, catalytic, and magnetic); modelling of interlayer and intralayer interfaces; and applications.

This is the first book about functional nanostructures. Nanocrystalline materials exhibit outstanding properties and represent a new class of structural materials having a wide range of applications. In particular, there is considerable interest in developing nanocrystalline materials to be used as functional materials in aerospace applications, automotive industry, wear applications, etc. Future progress in these high technological applications of nanocrystalline materials depends on development of new methods of their fabrication and understanding of the underlying nano-scale and interface effects causing their unique mechanical properties.

The microstructure of sputtered, 10 nm thin films of equiatomic binary alloys of CoPt and FePt were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and related techniques, and the magnetic properties of these films were studied using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. These films have certain properties important to their possible application as high density magnetic storage media, however the relationship of microstructure and magnetic properties was not well known. Grain growth kinetics were examined using manual and digital analysis of bright field TEM images, and were seen to take two stages during annealing in these films. A rapid growth stage concurrent with the formation of a (111) fiber texture was observed to occur within the first 5-10 minutes of annealing, which was followed by a much slower growth stage after the fiber texturing was well advanced. Differences in grain growth rate and ultimate grain size were also observed to depend on heating rate. The transformation from an atomically disordered structure to the L1$\sb0$ ordered structure also occurred during annealing and was characterized using digital analysis of dark field TEM images. The transformation was observed to follow first-order, nucleation and growth kinetics and the volume fraction transformed was quantified for numerous intermediate steps between disordered and fully ordered. The ordered volume fraction was then compared to the magnetic coercivity data obtained from the SQUID magnetometer. In contrast to the relationship most commonly described in the literature, that the highest coercivity corresponds to a two phase ordered/disordered mixture, the maximum value for coercivity in our samples was found to correspond to the fully ordered state. Furthermore, measurements of the ordered volume fraction at intermediate steps between disordered and fully ordered showed that the coercivity was closely related to the ordered volume fraction. An increasing density of magnetic domain wall pinning sites concurrent with the increasing ordered fraction was proposed as a mechanism for the high coercivity in these films.

An up-to-date and comprehensive review of magnetic storage systems, including particulate and rigid media, magnetic heads, tribology, signal processing spintronics, and other, future systems. A thorough theoretical discussion supplements the experimental and technical aspects. Each section commences with a tutorial paper, which is followed by technical discussions of current research in the area. Written at a level suitable for advanced graduate students.

This five-volume handbook focuses on processing techniques, characterization methods, and physical properties of thin films (thin layers of insulating, conducting, or semiconductor material). The editor has composed five separate, thematic volumes on thin films of metals, semimetals, glasses, ceramics, alloys, organics, diamonds, graphites, porous materials, noncrystalline solids, supramolecules, polymers, copolymers, biopolymers, composites, blends, activated carbons, intermetallics, chalcogenides, dyes, pigments, nanostructured materials, biomaterials, inorganic/polymer composites, organoceramics, metallocenes, disordered systems, liquid crystals, quasicrystals, and layered structures. Thin films is a field of the utmost importance in today's materials science, electrical engineering and applied solid state physics; with both research and industrial applications in microelectronics, computer manufacturing, and physical devices. Advanced, high-performance computers, high-definition TV, digital camcorders, sensitive broadband imaging systems, flat-panel displays, robotic systems, and medical electronics and diagnostics are but a few examples of miniaturized device technologies that depend the utilization of thin film materials. The Handbook of Thin Films Materials is a comprehensive reference focusing on processing techniques, characterization methods, and physical properties of these thin film materials.

Advances in Magnetic Materials: Processing, Properties, and Performance discusses recent developments of magnetic materials, including fabrication, characterization and applications in the aerospace, biomedical, and semiconductors industries. With contributions by international professionals who possess broad and varied expertise, this volume encompasses both bulk materials and thin films and coatings for magnetic applications. A timely reference book that describes such things as ferromagnetism, nanomaterials, and Fe, ZnO, and Co-based materials, Advances in Magnetic Materials is an ideal text for students, researchers, and professionals working in materials science. Describes recent developments of magnetic materials, including fabrication, characterization, and applications Addresses a variety of industrial applications, such as aerospace, biomedical, and semiconductors Discusses bulk materials and thin films and coatings Covers ferromagnetism, nanomaterials, Fe, ZnO, and Co-based materials Contains the contributions of international professionals with broad and varied expertise Covers a holistic range of magnetic materials in various aspects of process, properties, and performance