Chapter 1 – Growth and Characterization of Magnetic Thin Film and Nanostructures

Abstract This chapter provides an overview of the various techniques for the growth and characterization of magnetic thin films and nanostructures. The chapter is divided broadly into two parts: the first part focuses on growth and characterization for magnetic thin films and multilayer in general. In the second part, emphasis is on the use of advanced techniques for the fabrication and characterization of magnetic nanostructures. Various examples of lithographic and other controlled nanofabrication techniques are discussed. Practical examples on how the static and dynamic properties of magnetic nanostructures are characterized using a combination of magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements, magnetic force microscopy, broadband ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy are given. The discussion presented in this chapter will serve as a useful resource and reference material for researchers and students working in the field of low-dimensional magnetism and in the broader context of nanotechnology.