Ion sculpting: a tool for tuning magnetic anisotropy in ultrathin films

The possibility of modifying the magnetic properties of ultrathin films by means of ion sculpting has been verified for Co/Cu(0 0 1) and Fe/Ag(0 0 1). For both these systems, ion sputtering at grazing incidence performed in a proper, material-dependent, temperature range induces the formation of ripples at the surface of the films. Following ripple formation, the magnetic anisotropy in the plane of the films undergoes dramatic changes brought about by the out-of-equilibrium distribution of defect sites induced by the ripple structure itself.