Final Report Summary - MAGNETALS (Tunable array of magnetic nano-crystals designed at the atomic scale: engineering high performance magnetic materials using hybrid organic-inorganic nano-architectures)
The storage density of computer hard drives is growing so rapidly that for new computer drive generations not only optimized materials are needed but also new concepts for data storage. Last decades, higher storage densities on computer disks were achieved by optimization of magnetic materials, i.e. the magnetic grains were gradually shrunk while, at the same time, the magnetic stability was increased. The nowadays smallest storage unit is made up 100 to 600 grains, that form one bit. Each grain is about 10 nanometres in size. These grains are arranged next to each other on substrates that are plated with magnetic metals. Decreasing further the size and amount of the grains necessary for one bit is now irremediably affecting the signal/noise ratio, weaker signals leading to loss of information. Therefore, new concepts for magnetic storage media have to be found.
Material reduced size leads to novel properties totally different from bulk properties. In our project we created numerous two-dimensional hybrid nanoarchitectures taking advantage of molecular self-assembly. Tuneable hybrid nanoarchitectures composed of molecules, ionic compounds, and several magnetic metals have been engineered at the atomic scale. New atomic scale interactions have been observed and surprising electronic/magnetic properties in magnetic nanocrystals have been revealed. Finally a high density 2D netwok of atomic electronic nanobits stable at room temperature and separated by less than 2nm has been realised. We also proved that these nanobits can be manipulated at room temperature. This research opens new opportunities to engineer new devices of the high density data storage industry. (http://iramis.cea.fr/Pisp/fabien.silly/Magnetals/)
Material reduced size leads to novel properties totally different from bulk properties. In our project we created numerous two-dimensional hybrid nanoarchitectures taking advantage of molecular self-assembly. Tuneable hybrid nanoarchitectures composed of molecules, ionic compounds, and several magnetic metals have been engineered at the atomic scale. New atomic scale interactions have been observed and surprising electronic/magnetic properties in magnetic nanocrystals have been revealed. Finally a high density 2D netwok of atomic electronic nanobits stable at room temperature and separated by less than 2nm has been realised. We also proved that these nanobits can be manipulated at room temperature. This research opens new opportunities to engineer new devices of the high density data storage industry. (http://iramis.cea.fr/Pisp/fabien.silly/Magnetals/)