Abstract
The magnetic anisotropy of the soft nanocrystalline FeTaCN film was mainly established by the residual stress. When the value of magnetoelastic anisotropy constant (KU) of FeTaCN films was positive and greater than a certain onset value of energy, the film exhibited an in-plane anisotropy and good soft magnetic properties. On the other hand, when the KU was negative, the perpendicular anisotropy appeared, accompanying the presence of stripe domains. The coercivity was reduced to 0.9 Oe after 250 °C annealing. However, the films became magnetically isotropic, which was attributed to the stress release during the annealing process. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.