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Growth and Characterization of Epitaxial NiMnSb/PtMnSb C1b Heusler alloy superlattices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

F. B. Mancoff ,
J. F. Bobo ,
O. E. Richter ,
K. Bessho ,
P. R. Johnson ,
R. Sinclair ,
W. D. Nix ,
R. L. White  and
B. M. Clemens
F. B. Mancoff
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305–2205
J. F. Bobo
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305–2205
O. E. Richter
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305–2205
K. Bessho
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305–2205
P. R. Johnson
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305–2205
R. Sinclair
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305–2205
W. D. Nix
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305–2205
R. L. White
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305–2205
B. M. Clemens
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305–2205
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Abstract

We have sputter deposited NiMnSb/PtMnSb Heusler alloy superlattices with bilayer periods from 9–160 Å. X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements indicate that even for short bilayer periods, the superlattices are compositionally modulated, epitaxial, and maintain the Heusler alloy C1b structure. Low- and high-angle diffraction profiles are in agreement with simulations of the superlattice peaks. TEM images reveal defects, including stacking faults, which help relieve lattice mismatch strain. Energy minimization calculations of the stacking fault density are within a factor of 3 of the density observed by TEM. The saturation magnetization of the superlattices is close to bulk PtMnSb and NiMnSb, with a tendency for perpendicular magnetization at short bilayer periods.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , April 1999 , pp. 1560 - 1569
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1999

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References

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