In-situ study of magnetic thin films on nanorippled Si (1Â 0Â 0) substrates

► In-situ study of the magnetic properties of ultrathin Co films deposited on nanorippled Si (1 0 0) substrate. ► Co films on nanorippled surface exhibit a strong uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. ► Magnetic anisotropy decreases with thickness of the Co film. ► Co film on nanorippled Si surface exhibits a magnetic dead layer of 0.8 nm.