It has only recently become possible to pattern materials at the sub-micron length scale. There is
currently a very large international effort directed to fabrication, characterization, and property
determination of these novel systems. After a brief summary of existing techniques suitable for
investigating nano-scale magnetic particles, I will describe a new technique, Diffracted
Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect (D-MOKE), that we have developed for the study of magnetic properties of
sub-micron magnetic arrays. D-MOKE results from dot arrays of circles, squares and rings, and from
arrays of elliptical and square holes will be presented. Analysis of the results allows the
metastable magnetic structures that form during magnetization reversal to be ascertained. Of
particular interest is the vortex state that forms in circular disks and the 'band' domains in hole
arrays.
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