Nanolithographically defined magnetic structures and quantum magnetic disk

Isolated and interactive arrays of magnetic nanostructures as small as 15 nm are fabricated using nanolithography and related technologies, and are characterized using magnetic force microscopy. It has been demonstrated that manipulating the size, aspect ratio, and spacing of these nanostructures can lead to unique control of their magnetic properties. A quantum magnetic disk based on discrete single-domain nanomagnetic structures with storage density of 65 Gbits/in.(2) is demonstrated along with a low-cost method for mass producing such disks. Other impacts that nanofabrication can bring to the development of future magnetic storage are discussed. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.