Grazing Incidence Small Angle Neutron Scattering Study of Co Nanowire Array

Using grazing incidence small angle neutron scattering (GISANS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technologies, the spatial structure of Co magnetic nanowire array deposited in porous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template was studied. The theoretical GISANS pattern was simulated by means of the computer software. The result shows that the experimental GISANS result, the simulated GISANS result and the SEM result agree well with each other. The diameter of the nanowire is about 60 nm, and the average distance between the centers of the nanowire is about 121 nm. The nanowires are arranged perpendicularly to the surface of the sample and parallel to each other. It is proved that the GISANS technology combined with computer simulation is a powerful tool for studying nanowire array and similar nanostructure.