Thermally induced changes in magnetic, transport and electronic properties of Fe/Al multilayers

The effect of thermal annealing on the magnetic, transport and electronic properties of electron beam evaporated Fe/Al multilayer samples (MLS), with an overall atomic concentration ratio of Fe/Al 1:1, have been investigated. The grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, resistivity and valance band photoemission measurements indicates the formation of sub-stoichiometric B2 FeAl intermetallic phase at the interface for the MLS annealed at higher temperatures. The corresponding magnetization measurements show large increase in coercivity and drastic reduction in magnetization values. The observed magnetization behaviour in each case is interpreted in terms of their structural and electronic properties changes induced due to the annealing treatment.