Synthesis of magnetic Fe and Co nano-whiskers and platelets via physical vapor deposition

Fe and Co nano-whiskers and Co platelets were synthesized via physical vapor deposition without any template and catalyst. Transmission electron microscopic analyses revealed that the Fe whiskers were all single crystal with whisker axis along [1 0 0] crystallographic direction. Both FCC and HCP crystal structures were found in the Co whiskers with stacking faults and micro-twins. Off-axis Electron holography results showed that all the whiskers synthesized were magnetic single domain structures. Vortex state was observed in a small platelet of high symmetry.