Microstructural study on the functionally graded magnetic thin films prepared by electroless deposition

Gradient control of magnetic properties in electroless-deposited CoNiP films was attempted and microstructural origin of the graded properties was investigated. Control of the single and dual gradient in magnetic properties, such as coercivity, Hc, in the direction of the film thickness was achieved by controlling the rotational speed of substrates during the deposition. The results of cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy investigations clarified that the size of the crystallites changed according to the speed of the rotation, forming the `graded' microstructure in the film thickness direction, which resulted in the graded properties.