DYNAMIC OF MAGNETIC DOMAINS IN AMORPHOUS Fe-Sm THIN FILMS

Fe-Sm composite thin films were prepared using co-sputtering method by using a DC planar magnetron arrangement. Pure iron disk and samarium 1×1 cm2 chips were used as composite target. The structure of samples for different composition was studied by small-angle X-ray diffraction. Magnetic domain structure of thin film was revealed through Bitter-Elmore technique. Sequential images of magnetic domain structure and their modification as a consequence of magnetic field direction change were observed using a high resolution reflected-light microscope and digital camera. The obtained images have revealed the existence of two main types of magnetic domain structure: wide-stripes (type I stripe domains) for in-plane magnetic field direction and labyrinth and/or maze structure (type II stripe domains) for perpendicular to film plane magnetic field direction. Different types of structures from stripe to maze were evidenced while the magnetic field direction is changed from parallel to normal to the film plane. Models of observed magnetic structures in Fe-Sm films were proposed and discussed in connection with the direction of applied magnetic field