Torque magnetometry analysis of magnetic anisotropy distribution in Ni nanowire arrays

Abstract

Highly ordered arrays of Ni nanowires have been prepared by pulsed electrochemical deposition into nanopores of anodic alumina membranes (NAAMs) used as templates. They have been experimentally characterized by magnetic torque measurements and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques in order to determine the magnetic anisotropy of the hexagonal array of nanowires. A detailed analysis of the experimental data has been performed based on a phenomenological model taking into account the influence of the nanowire shape anisotropy added to the dipolar magnetostatic interactions among them. An overall agreement is obtained between the simulations derived from the model and the experimental magnetic torque anisotropy curves. © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.