Magnetic patterning by means of ion irradiation and implantation

A pure magnetic patterning by means of ion irradiation which relies on a local modification of the magnetic anisotropy of a magnetic multilayer structure has been first demonstrated in 1998. Since then also other magnetic properties like the interlayer exchange coupling, the exchange bias effect, the magnetic damping behavior and the saturation magnetization to name a few have also been demonstrated to be affected by ion irradiation or ion implantation. Consequently, all these effects can be used if combined with a masking technique or employing direct focused ion beam writing for a magnetic patterning and thus an imprinting of an artificial magnetic domain structure, which subsequently modifies the integral magnetization reversal behavior or the magnetization dynamics of the film investigated. The present review will summarize how ion irradiation and implantation can affect the magnetic properties by means of structural modifications. The main part will cover the present status with respect to the pure magnetic patterning of micro- and nano structures.