The influence of homogenous external magnetic field on morphology and magnetic properties of CoRu nanowire arrays

Abstract CoRu nanowire arrays (NWs) were fabricated by DC electrodeposition into hexagonally ordered alumina pores. A homogeneous magnetic field, parallel to the membrane plane, was applied during the deposition to control the wire growth. The largest magnetic field (of 0.6 T) strongly affected the morphology of the CoRu alloy nanowires, which became continuous with smooth lateral surfaces. The increasing magnetic field caused a rise of nanowire lengths and Co concentration in NWs. X-ray diffraction studies showed a hexagonal structure of nanowires. It was found that cobalt ruthenium alloy nanowires exhibit magnetic anisotropy with easy axis in a direction parallel to the wire axis. The changes in the microstructure led to an increase of anisotropy energy and drop of the coercivity.