Magnetization reversal in Co zigzag nanocolumns grown by glancing angle deposition

• Cobalt zigzag nanocolumns were grown by glancing angle deposition.
• The structure and the magnetic properties of the columns were studied.
• The system exhibited high max. Hc values which could find potential applications.
• The results indicated the presence of curling magnetization reversal mode.

A Co zigzag nanocolumn sample was grown by glancing angle deposition using molecular beam epitaxy. A structural study was carried out using scanning electron microscopy and the magnetic properties and the magnetoresistance were investigated at room temperature. Each zigzag consisted of six arms tilted with respect to each other by approx. 60°, had a club-like shape, diameter in the range of 20–100 nm, a single arm length of about 150 nm and a total height of approx. 370 nm. The magnetization hard axis was observed for the magnetic field oriented parallel to the zigzag long axis and the easy axis for the field oriented perpendicular to the long axis. The system exhibited very high maximum coercivity values, which could find potential applications. The angular dependences of the coercive field and the remanent to saturation magnetization ratio, as well as magnetoresistance curves, indicated the presence of curling magnetization reversal mode.