Magnetic properties of iron thin films evaporated at oblique incidence

Evaporated iron thin films of thickness in the range 200 to 8500 Å were deposited on plastic substrates at oblique incidence angles φ{symbol}. The magnetic properties of films prepared at φ{symbol} = °0 to °80 were investigated. The easy axes of the films at φ{symbol} = °75 and °80 are parallel to the incidence plane, whereas it is perpendicular for an incidence angle less than °65. An abnormal field dependence of the magnetic torque in the film plane of the sample at φ{symbol} = °80 was observed. The magnetic torque decreased with increasing external field beyond a certain value. This abnormality is explained by assuming that the magnetization, which lies along the easy axis of the columns, cants under the presence of the external field. Measurements for films evaporated on plastic and glass substrates, indicated that the fine-structured layer near the substrate also influences the magnetic properties.