Magnetic properties of hybrid nanostructures

Abstract

The aim of this work is aimed at understanding magnetism in hybrid nanostructures and interfaces. The reduced dimensionality in nanoscale magnetic structures or heterostructures introduces novel phenomena which are interesting both fundamentally and practically. Confinement offers numerous opportunities for harnessing new functionalities built on the interplay of competing interactions. This work focuses on correlating the magnetization states and magnetic properties to the interplay of competing interactions in confined hybrid magnetic nanostructures. Techniques such as nanocluster beam deposition, e-beam lithography and hydrothermal growth were used to fabricate the geometrically confined objects, which include three-dimensional (3D) magnetic gradient nanomaterial, 2D thin films (antiferromagnetically coupled bilayer structure), 1D ?nanowires? (ZnO nanowires/nanotubes (NWs/NTs)), and OD ?magnetic islands? (CoCrPt nanodots antiferromagnetically coupled bilayer structure). Phenomena such as gradient magnetism of FePt nanoclusters on self-assembled colloidal crystal templates, antiferromagnetic exchange coupling for creating stable magnetic recording media with a narrow switching field distribution, and interface magnetism of thiol-modified ZnO nanotubes and nanowires will be discussed.