Improvement in Magnetic Properties of PLD-Made Nd-Fe-B Thick Film Magnets

Coercivity of pulsed laser deposition (PLD)-fabricated Nd-Fe-B thick film magnets were enhanced by synergistic use of an additive (Zr, Nb or Ga) and an adoption of pulse annealing as a high-speed crystallization method. The role of the additives and the pulse annealing mainly work on the increase of coercivity without the deterioration of remanence and (BH)_max. For example, after pulse annealing of an as-deposited film prepared from a Nd_2.6Fe₁₄B+Ga_{0.5 at.%} target, the obtained coercivity reached approximately 1700 kA/m. We also found that (BH)_max value reaches approximately 70 kJ/m³ by reducing Nd content and adding Zr or Nb.