Study of magnetic iron nitride thin films deposited by high power   impulse magnetron sputtering
  In this work, we studied phase formation, structural and magnetic properties of iron-nitride (Fe-N) thin films deposited using high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) and direct current magnetron sputtering (dc-MS). The nitrogen partial pressure during deposition was systematically varied both in HiPIMS and dc-MS. Resulting Fe-N films were characterized for their microstructure, magnetic properties and nitrogen concentration. We found that HiPIMS deposited Fe-N films show a globular nanocrystalline microstructure and improved soft magnetic properties. In addition, it was found that the nitrogen reactivity impedes in HiPIMS as compared to dc-MS. Obtained results can be understood in terms of distinct plasma properties of HiPIMS. 
Akhil Tayal, Mukul Gupta, Ajay Gupta, V. Ganesan, Layanta Behera,   Surendra Singh, Saibal Basu
cond-mat.mtrl-sci