Fabrication and characterization of nanoscale arrays of nickel columns

Abstract

We have fabricated arrays of high aspect ratio nickel columns in both PMMA and SiO2, and we have characterized their structure using transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We have also characterized the magnetics of the columns with magnetic force microscopy. Such characterization of high aspect ratio perpendicular magnetic particles is only rarely found in the literature. This work lays a foundation for further studies to test the viability of lithographically defined arrays of magnetic particles as an alternative high density storage medium.