Stability of magnetic nano-structures with respect to shape modifications

Magnetic nano-structures can be used for various applications. Examinations of nano-structured systems often aim at decreasing pattern sizes due to their possible utilization in data storage media, in order to enhance the possible information density in a given area. This scaling process, however, is limited by the resolution of the lithography process which is used to produce the nano-particles. Thus the influence of shape modifications on the magnetic properties is important to be examined, especially the correlation between small form changes and magnetization reversal processes or coercive fields. In a recent project, square nanoparticles from permalloy were simulated using Magpar. Simulations were performed for the ideal geometric shape used in the lithography process, for the realistic shape of the produced nano-particles as obtained by SEM, and for intermediate steps between these extreme shapes. This study allows for estimation of the reliability of magnetic properties of nano-structures with respect to shape modifications in the lithography process. (paper)