Tuning shape, composition and magnetization of three-dimensional cobalt nanowires grown by Focused Electron Beam Induced Deposition (FEBID)

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Abstract

Electron beam induced deposition of 3D cobalt nanowires with simultaneous high metallic content (≈80% at.) and small diameter (<100 nm) has been achieved by optimization of the growth parameters. Two different growth modes have been identified, denoted as radial and linear. In the radial mode, the wire diameter is at least ≈120 nm and the Co content is greater than ≈85% at. In the linear mode, the diameter is smaller than 80 nm and the Co content is at best ≈80% at. A sharp transition between both growth modes can occur inside a single nanowire for certain experimental conditions. Electron holography measurements indicate that in optimized Co nanowires the magnetic induction is high enough for applications in spintronics, magnetic sensing and actuation at the nanoscale. ; This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity through projects No. MAT2014-51982C2-1-R, MAT2014-51982C2-2-R and MAT2015-69725-REDT, including FEDER funds and by the Aragon Regional Government (Construyendo Europa desde Aragón) through project E26, with FEDER funding. This work was conducted within the framework of the COST Action CM1301 (CELINA). AFP acknowledges funding from a EPSRC Early Career Fellowship EP/M008517/1 and from a Winton Fellowship. In order to comply with EPSRC policy on research data, all metadata associated to this publication can be accessed via https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.8106. JP-N grant is funded by the Ayuda para Contratos Predoctorales para la Formación de Doctores, Convocatoria Res. 05/06/15 (BOE 12/06/15) of the Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación in the Subprograma Estatal de Formación of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) with the participation of the European Social Fund.