An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of electrochemically deposited Fe–P thin films on copper substrate

Electrochemically deposited Fe–P magnetic thin film from acidic tartarate complex bath solution was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. As-prepared film contains both Fe3+- and P5+-like species, whereas the same film after 10 and 20 min sputtering shows peaks corresponding to Fe metal as well as Pδ− species along with P5+ species. The film after heat-treatment contains Fe3+ together with P5+ and Pδ− species, whereas heat-treated film after sputtering shows the presence of both Fe metal and Fe2+ species. There is an increase in Pδ− intensity on sputtering the heat-treated film.