SOLID-STATE REACTION OF Zr-Fe MULTILAYERED FILMS INVESTIGATED BY MÖSSBAUER SPECTROSCOPY

Abstract
Multilayered Zr - Fe films of average composition Zr₅₀Fe₅₀ were prepared by sputtering. The samples were solid - state reacted and subsequently investigated by Conversion Electron Mössbauer Spectroscopy (CEMS). Already in the as - deposited multilayer an amorphous interlayer is detected. In the early stage of the interdiffusion reaction a Mössbauer spectrum is observed which is typical for an amorphous Zr - rich phase of concentration near Zr₂Fe. After further annealing a completely amorphous film can be reached. Differences between solid - state reacted, mechanically alloyed, melt - quenched and especially co - sputtered Zr - Fe samples can be observed in the middle of the concentration range. However, these differences can be reduced by a heat treatment, which changes the atomic arrangement around the Fe atoms and leads to the appearance of direct Fe - Fe contacts.