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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/C512634/1
Title: Permanent Magnet Films: Visiting Fellowship For Professor Shaolong Tang
Principal Investigator: Gibbs, Professor M
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Physics and Astronomy
Organisation: University of Sheffield
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 May 2005 Ends: 28 February 2006 Value (£): 19,575
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Materials Processing
Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The improvement in the performance of RE-Fe-B magnets (RE = Rare Earth) based on the tetragonal phase of the type RE:Fe:B, (2:14:1) and the control of their structural and compositional properties at a nanoscopic level, initiated for melt spun alloy ribbons, has indicated a number of possibilities for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). In order to understand fundamental interactions, and to synthesize RE-Fe-B magnetic films suitable for technological applications, it is necessary to investigate the effects of the growth conditions on the film properties. In order to use RE-Fe-B thin films for technological applications such as for example, MEMS, it is necessary to obtain films with thicknesses typically - 10 - 50pm. In order to exploit, in a very controlled fashion, the benefits of variation of the RE:Fe ratio (remanence enhancement and exchange spring behavior) we need to use controlled co-sputtering to generate films with properties optimized for particular applications. In producing thick (>1 pm) films, there are two issues to be addressed. Firstly, can the optimum microstructure (high PMA and crystal texture) be maintained as the film thickness increases? Secondly, how can problems associated with film stress and consequent film delamination be addressed? We need to carefully characterize the evolution of texture with film thickness using magnetic, x-ray and electron microscopical analysis. Can the build up of defects be controlled in such a way as to maintain the highly textured growth. Our deposition facilities allow for the testing of the effects of composition, substrate temperature, Ar partial pressure and substrate rotation rate. This route will be pushed as far as possible in terms of optimum film performance
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Organisation Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk