Surface Magnetostriction of FeCoB Amorphous Ribbons Analyzed Using Magneto-Optical Kerr Microscopy

Surface sensitive magneto-optical Kerr microscopy completed with the special self-made sample holder is used for studying the magneto-elastic behaviour in the surface of the as-quenched amorphous Fe(73)Co(12)B(15) alloy. The 10, 5, and 3 mm wide and approximately 34 μm thick ribbons were prepared by the conventional planar flow casting process. The experimental setup allows for a simultaneous application of an external magnetic field in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the ribbon axis and of compression stress from one side of the sample, resulting in tensile stress in opposite side. The distributions of tensile stresses in the measured surface were modelled by the finite element method. The observed changes of the magnetic domains and hysteresis loop anisotropy field under applied stress are evaluated using the Becker–Kersten method. This resulted in the determination of the local surface magnetostrictive coefficient from an area of about 200 μm in diameter. The obtained values ranged between 37–60 ppm and were well comparable with the bulk value presented in the literature.