Magnetic nanostructures elements

Abstract The focus of this chapter is primarily directed towards nanocrystalline soft magnetic materials prepared by crystallization of amorphous precursors. The key elements involved in the development of this class of materials are three-fold (i) theoretical models for magnetic softness in nanostructures (ii) nanostructure-property relationships and (iii) nanostructural formation mechanisms. This chapter surveys recent research on these three areas with emphasis placed on the principles underlying alloy design in soft magnetic nanostructures. 

The effect of alloying elements on K for Fe-based crystalline thin films has been reviewed by Hayashi et al. [37], It was summarized that K = 0 is expected in Fe-Ga-Si, Fe-Al-Ge, Fe-Co-Ga-Si and Fe-Co-Al-Ge, along with classical Fe-Ni and Fe-Al-Si. Consequently, the addition of Al, Si, Ga and Ge to Fe-based magnetic nanostructures may result in a further reduction of . However, a substantial amount of these additives is accompanied by a serious decrease in the saturation magnetization [38], making the Fe-based soft magnetic nanostructures featureless from the viewpoint of technological applications. 

Sectrodeposition of nickel and cobalt has been investigated intensively in aqueous solutions. Both metals are interesting for nanotechnology as magnetic nanostructures can be formed in aqueous solutions [47]. Hovrever, the bulk electrodeposition is accompanied by a massive hydrogen evolution. Both elements can also be deposited from acidic chloroaluminate liquids [48,49]. Cobalt and zinc-cobalt alloys... 

Electrodeposition is to date the most economical and convenient path to the production of multilayered nanostructures. The contracts thus obtained can and do provide useful paradigms for fundamental studies (14) as well as for a plethora of useful applications. Some of the applications are in the arena of magnetically operated read/write elements others are in the field of electronic switches, to name only a few. 

Fe[010] chain), respectively. Since free-standing nanowires of elemental metals are one-dimensional objects, they exhibit magnetic properties similar to free standing clusters, i.e. its magnetic moment increases especially for the atoms at surface. The lower coordinated atoms have higher moment, while atoms inside of the nanostructure have magnetic moment close to the bulk values. 

Thin metalhc fihns play an important role in diverse fields of applications, with special emphasis on micro- and nanoelectronics for which the metals Al, Cu, Ag, Au, Ti and W are essential Additional fields of commercial interests are electrodes as well as reflective, corrosion-resistant, oxidation-resistant and abrasion-resistant coatings . Noble metals (periods 5 and 6 of groups 8-11 of the periodic table of the elements) are of special interest due to their manifold application in heterogeneous catalysis. Other metals used in specialized industrial applications or as components of more complex materials such as metal alloys are Ni, Pd, Pt, Ag and Au. For example, FePt-based nanostructured materials are excellent candidates for future high-density magnetic recording media . ... 

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