Patterning of magnetic structures on austenitic stainless steel by local ion beam nitriding

Periodic arrays of ferromagnetic structures with micrometer and submicrometer lateral sizes have been prepared at the surface of a paramagnetic austenitic stainless steel by means of ion beam nitriding through different types of shadow masks (such as transmission electron microscopy grids or self-assembled porous alumina membranes). This method takes advantage of the formation of the ferromagnetic supersaturated nitrogen solid solution cN phase (i.e., expanded austenite) upon nitriding at moderate temperatures. The local character of the induced ferromagnetism is confirmed by magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements together with magnetic force microscopy imaging. Furthermore, the influence of the nitriding temperature and time on the induced ferromagnetic and structural properties has been analyzed.