Texture and strain in CoPt/Ag nanocomposite films

Abstract The texture and microstrain in CoPt/Ag nanocomposite films is monitored as a function of film thickness. Perpendicular anisotropy due to (0 0 1) texturing is achieved by annealing films with thickness below 15 nm at 600°C. As a function of film thickness δ the texture evolves from weak (0 0 1) below 9 nm to strong (0 0 1) at δ =12 nm which deteriorates rapidly above 15 nm and evolves to (1 1 1) above 40 nm. The strain is minimized in the range of film thickness where the (0 0 1) texturing is optimum indicating a texturing mechanism related to the reduction of mechanical strain energy.