Pd–Fe alloy film with high magnetic gradient: structural and magnetic properties

An epitaxial film of the Pd–Fe alloy 116 nm thick with an iron concentration varying in depth from 2 at.% to 50 at.% has been synthesized. An experimental depth distribution profile of iron was obtained as a result of stepwise etching of the film surface with Ar$^+$ ions. Profiling has shown that, as a result of annealing, the impurity was redistributed in the film, and a layer of the $L1_0$-phase with a constant concentration was formed near the film surface. After removal of the $L1_0$-phase, the film exhibits “easy-plane” anisotropy. The study of spin-wave resonance spectra showed the presence of several modes of standing spin waves, the number of which depends on the residual film thickness.