Silicon/metal hybrid material with two magnetic terms dependent on the field region

Porous silicon (PS) of various morphologies is used as template for electrochemical deposition of distinct metals, especially ferromagnetic ones. The precipitation of Ni and Co under various process parameters leads to nanocomposites consisting of ferromagnetic metal-structures embedded in the PS-templates. These specimens are tunable in their morphology by the electrochemical fabrication parameters and due to the fact that the magnetic characteristics depend on the geometry and distribution of the incorporated metal it is possible to fabricate ferromagnetic nanocomposites with desired specific characteristics like coercivity, squareness or magnetic anisotropy. A further magnetic term, occurring at high magnetic fields, above the saturation magnetization of the deposited metal is observed. This additional term shows a non-saturating, paramagnetic-like behaviour.