Ordered sub-micron magnetic dot arrays using self-assembly template method

Using a self-assembly double template method, we have prepared highly ordered magnetic dot arrays of Ni on sub-micron scales. For the template preparation we have used colloidal suspensions of polystyrene latex spheres with different diameters ranging from 200 to 700 nm combined with secondary templates of the conducting polymer polypyrrole. By variation of the template parameters and the deposition charge the material shape can be modified significantly from isolated dots to connected 3D networks. Samples have been characterized by magnetometry. Magnetic properties were found to depend strongly on dot size and connectivity leading to a rich variety of magnetic behaviors.