Correlation of Structure and Magnetic Properties of Thin CoP Films

Thin, electroless CoP films (<100 nm) were deposited on NiP substrates, and the relationships between nucleation, microstructure, preferred orientation, internal stress, and magnetic properties of these CoP deposits were investigated. The substrate treatment prior to plating (keeping the plating parameters constant) was found to have a profound effect on nucleation and growth, structure, internal stress, and magnetic properties of CoP deposits. The magnetic properties of the deposits can be explained in terms of crystal, shape, and strain anisotropies of the CoP structures. Shape anisotropy is the major parameter contributing to good in-plane magnetic properties. A model for development of shape anisotropy of the CoP crystallites is suggested. © 1988, The Electrochemical Society, Inc. All rights reserved.