Magnetic Anisotropy of a Single Cobalt Nanoparticle
arXiv:cond-mat/0012029 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.4676
Abstract
Using a new microSQUID set-up, we investigate magnetic anisotropy in a single 1000-atoms cobalt cluster. This system opens new fields in the characterization and the understanding of the origin of magnetic anisotropy in such nanoparticles. For this purpose, we report three-dimensional switching field measurements performed on a 3 nm cobalt cluster embedded in a niobium matrix. We are able to separate the different magnetic anisotropy contributions and evidence the dominating role of the cluster surface.
4 pages, 8 figures