A low concentration of cobalt clusters with a fcc structure and containing almost one thousand atoms are embedded in two different metallic matrices: platinum and niobium. Samples have been prepared using a co-deposition technique. Cobalt clusters preformed in the gas phase and matrix atoms are simultaneously deposited on a silicon substrate under Ultra High Vacuum conditions. This original technique allows to prepare nanostructured systems from miscible elements such as Co/Pt and Co/Nb in which clusters keep a pure cobalt core surrounded with an alloyed interface. Magnetic measurements performed using a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) reveal large differences in the magnetic properties of cobalt clusters in Pt and Nb pointing out the key role of cluster/matrix interfaces.
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0012324,
title = {Interface magnetic anisotropy in cobalt clusters embedded in a platinum or niobium matrix},
author = {M. Jamet and M. Negrier and V. Dupuis and J. Tuaillon-Combes and P. Melinon and A. Perez and W. Wernsdorfer and B. Barbara and J. Vogel and B. Baguenard},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0012324},
year = {2009}
}