Cobalt nanoparticles deposited and embedded in AlN: Magnetic, magneto-optical, and morphological properties

8 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables.-- PACS: 78.20.Ls; 75.60.Ej; 81.15.Cd; 61.46.+w; 75.50.Tt; 75.50.Cc; 68.37.Ps; 68.37.Rt; 81.05.Bx; 81.07.-b.-- et al.We present a structural, morphological, magnetic, and magneto-optical study of cobalt nanoparticles deposited on 50 Å AlN/c-sapphire substrates and embedded in an AlN matrix. The dependence of the properties of Co nanoclusters deposited on AlN with growth temperature and amount of deposited Co are studied and discussed. Also we directly compare the properties of as grown and AlN embedded Co nanoclusters and show that the AlN matrix has a strong impact on their magnetic and magneto-optical properties.This work was partially financed by the Spanish Commission of Science and Technology [Comisión Interministerial para la Ciencia Y la Tecnología (CICYT)], the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, and the Comunidad de Madrid (Project No. 07N/0108/2002). Y.H. acknowledges the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and Ramón y Cajal program for financial support.Peer reviewe