Patterned magnetic media from self-assembly template methods

Using lyotropic liquid crystalline phases and self-assembly from colloidal suspensions of polystyrene latex spheres, well-ordered, nanostructured templates were prepared. The results of electrochemical deposition of magnetic metals and alloys in the voids of these templates are presented. This technique has enabled the creation of magnetic nanostructures with 3D-achitectures on length scales 4 nm-1 μm. Changes in coercive field, by more than an order of magnitude were found, dominated by the effects of domain wall pinning. Clear transverse magnetisation suggests a Bloch type of domain walls. The in-plane component of the magnetic field drives the magnetic hysteresis. The templated electrodeposition technique offers the potential of a low-cost preparation method for sub-micron patterned magnetic media.