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Abstract: Homoepitaxy of W(110) and Mo(110) is performed in a kinetically-limited regime to yield a nanotemplate in the form of a uniaxial array of hills and grooves aligned along the [001] direction. The topography and organization of the grooves were studied with RHEED and STM. The nanofacets, of type {210}, are tilted ∼18° away from (110). The lateral period could be varied from 4 to 12nm by tuning the deposition temperature. Magnetic nanowires were formed in the grooves by deposition of Fe at 150°C on such templates. Fe/W wires display an easy axis along [001] and a mean blocking temperature T B ≈100K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have developed and characterized the structure and composition of nanometers-thick solid-solution epitaxial layers of (V,Nb) on sapphire [formula], displaying a continuous lateral gradient of composition from one to another pure element. Further covered with an ultrathin pseudomorphic layer of W, these provide a template for the fast combinatorial investigation of growth or physical properties depending of strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ordered arrays of magnetic nanowires are commonly synthesized by electrodeposition in nanoporous alumina templates. Due to their dense packing, strong magnetostatic interactions prevent the manipulation of wires individually. Using atomic layer deposition we reduce the diameter of the pores prior to electrodeposition. This reduces magnetostatic interactions, yielding fully remanent hysteresis loops. This is a first step toward the use of such arrays for magnetic racetrack memories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have fabricated 5-nm-high Fe(110) stripes by self-organized (SO) growth on a slightly vicinal R(110)/Al[sub 2]O[sub 3](1120) surface (R=Mo,W). Remanence, coercivity, and domain patterns were observed at room temperature. This contrasts with conventional SO epitaxial systems, that are superparamagnetic or even nonmagnetic at RT due to their flatness. Our process should help to overcome superparamagnetism without compromise on the lateral size if SO systems are ever to be used in applications. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]