Structure and magnetic properties of one-dimensional chains of ferromagnetic nanoparticles

One-dimensional chains and rings of equally sized ferromagnetic nanoparticles have been investigated using magnetic force microscopy. The one-dimensional structure of the Ni nanoparticles forms by self-assembled growth on a stepped surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The nanoparticles show single-domain magnetization states with the magnetization aligned along the chain.