Diffraction studies on Ni–Co and Ni–Cr alloy thin films

Alloy films of Ni–Co and Ni–Cr of compositional ratios 1:1, 1:3, and 3:1 deposited by vapor deposition were studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Results of TEM analysis on the Ni–Co alloy films indicated that the films were face-centered cubic (fcc) in structure. XRD results confirmed the TEM observations. TEM analysis of Ni–Cr alloy films showed that the films were body-centered cubic (bcc) in structure. With increase in the Cr content more than 25%, the material contained a higher fraction of an amorphous phase. XRD studies provide limited information owing to the quasi-amorphous structure of the films of high Cr content.