STRONG UNIAXIAL MAGNETIC-ANISOTROPY OF NANOSTRIPES OBTAINED BY CUTTING THIN EPITAXIAL FE LAYER USING THE ATOMIC SAW METHOD

We have applied the ''atomic saw'' method developed on semiconductor h eterostructures to cut thin epitaxial Fe films deposited on (001) MgO substrate into Fe nanostripes. This method is based on dislocation sli pping. We have controlled the slip along the (110) MgO planes and obta ined Fe stripes along the [110] direction. We present the magnetic stu dy of 2- and 5-nm-thick Fe films which have been cut by this method, w ith a deformation up to 8%. The surface of the deformed film, studied by atomic force microscopy, is characterized by regular steps, a few n m high, and from 50 nm to 2 mu m wide, depending on the slipping plane density. Strong uniaxial magnetic anisotropy has been observed by mag neto-optical measurements. Surprisingly, the easy magnetic axis is per pendicular to the nanostripes. Various possible mechanisms are discuss ed. However, it results probably in the relaxation of the elastic stra in field at the Fe/MgO interface. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physi cs.