Nanoindentation and Magneto-Optical Study of Oxidized Co Thin Films

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe have studied the mechanical and magneto-optical properties of postdeposition oxidized Co thin films. Oxidization process leads to the formation of double-layered structure of cobalt oxide on top of metallic cobalt. The nanoindentation measurements show decrease in hardness and Young's modulus at low annealing temperature and are related to increasing porosity of the film. The magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) reveals dependence of the MOKE spectra on annealing temperature. The increased coercivity of the annealed films has been observed by MOKE and is related to the structure of the film.