Fe4N Thin Films and Nitriding of Iron Films Prepared by Electron Shower

Due to high Fe4N chemical stability, wear resistance, and Bs (saturation magnetic flux density), it shows promise as a magnetic recording medium. The many types of iron nitride, and their properties depend on their preparation. Iron nitrides were prepared by new PVD: electron shower. Nitriding increased with N2 gas pressure, and the Fe4N single phase was obtained at PN2=7×10-3 Torr. Bs was high……1.1T, but Hc (coercive force) low……30Oe. To increase Hc due to shape anisotropy, Fe film was prepared by oblique evaporation, and nitrided by electron shower bombardment in PN2=0.01Torr for 420s. The iron film changed to iron nitride film (Fe4N+Fe2-3N), Bs was 0.75T and Hc was 500Oe. Which made the film applicable in magnetic recording media.