Reciprocity of Magnetism and Nanostructure Growth

Abstract

The growth of thin films and nanostructures is a fundamental process for constructing both model-type systems and nanoscale devices, where performance and functionalities can be controlled by the choice of parameters. For magnetic systems the crystal structure, material composition, size, and shape determine already most of the magnetism-related properties. Here, we investigate the reciprocal route, which is controlling nanostructure growth via magnetism. To this end we deposit Co on a uniaxial antiferromagnetic surface above and below its N\'eel temperature. Growth above the N\'eel temperature results in the formation of roughly hexagonal islands, reflecting the surface symmetry. For growth below the N\'eel temperature we find quasi-one-dimensional Co nanostructures along distinct crystallographic directions, which signal the local antiferromagnetic domain orientation. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of controlling growth via magnetism and the necessity to take magnetism-related effects into account for growth on magnetic surfaces.