Bilayer nanocomposite films composed of two different metal atoms possess unique physical and chemical properties due to their nanosize and tailored structure. In the present study a magnetic (cobalt) and a nonmagnetic (silver) atom has been selected for forming the bilayer. In the earlier reports Cobalt (Co) has been used as underlayer while the silver (Ag) has been used as overlayer. In the present study, the bilayer has been designed with Ag as underlayer and Co as overlayer. Ion beam sputtering (IBS) was used to deposit 4nm layer of Ag on pre-cleaned float glass substrate. An overlayer of 10nm of Co was also deposited using IBS over the Ag layer. The bilayer film was characterized using GIXRD and MOKE. The GIXRD pattern showed peaks belonging to cobalt which indicate formation of FCC phase. Interestingly Ag peaks are also seen clearly, although Ag is the underlayer. The particle sizes of Ag and Co as evaluated by Scherrer formula are found to be 5.5nm and 4nm respectively. The magnetic property was studied by MOKE which showed presence of well-defined hysteresis loop with coercivity of about 116 Oe. The results are described in light of interaction of the two metals.

No abstract