Ta/NiO/NiFe/Ta multilayers, utilizing Ta as buffer layer, were prepared by rf reactive and dc magnetron sputtering. The exchange coupling field between NiO and NiFe reached a maximum value of 9.6 ×103 A/m at a NiO film thickness of 50 nm. The composition and chemical states at interface region of Ta/NiO/Ta were studied by using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and peak decomposition technique. The results show that there is an 'intermixing layer' at the Ta/NiO (and NiO/Ta) interface due to a thermodynamically favorable reaction 2Ta + 5NiO = 5Ni + Ta2O5. This interface reaction has a great effect on exchange coupling. The thickness of Ni+NiO estimated by XPS depth-profiles is about 8-10 nm.
Ta/NiFe film is deposited on Si substrate precoated with SiO_2 by magnetron sputtering.SiO_2/Ta interface and Ta_5Si_3 standard sample are investigated by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and peak decomposition technique.The results show that there is a thermodynamically favorable reaction at the SiO_2/Ta interface:37Ta+15SiO_2=5Ta_5Si_3+6Ta_2O_5.The more stable products Ta_5Si_3 and Ta_2O_5 may be beneficial to stop the diffusion of Cu into SiO_2.
