A novel routine is developed to produce nanostructured ceramic-based composites with enhanced mechanical properties and tailored magnetic behavior.

This letter presents an experimental study that shows that a 3rd physical dimension may be used to further increase information packing density in magnetic storage devices. We demonstrate the feasibility of at least quadrupling the magnetic states of magnetic-based data storage devices by recording and reading information from nanopillars with three magnetically-decoupled layers. Magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy and magnetic force microscopy analysis show that both continuous (thin film) and patterned triple-stack magnetic media can generate eight magnetically-stable states. This is in comparison to only two states in conventional magnetic recording. Our work further reveals that ferromagnetic interaction between magnetic layers can be reduced by combining Co/Pt and Co/Pd multilayers media. Finally, we are showing for the first time an MFM image of multilevel-3D bit patterned media with 8 discrete signal levels.

As transparent polycrystalline materials become more important in optical applications, evaluation of their optical properties across a wide range of wavelengths (or frequencies) is crucial for device design. In-line transmission measurements are often used to assess the suitability of materials for a given optical application. We developed a model that describes reflection, scattering, and absorption losses that commonly affect transmission. The model demonstrates the effects that parameters such as absorption type (Lorentzian or Gaussian), scattering regime (Raleigh–Gans–Debye or Rayleigh), and optical path length have on transmission spectra. We also fit the model onto transmission data from three polycrystalline material systems: ruby, yttria stabilized zirconia, and terbia. Parameters extracted from these fits can be used to describe wavelength dependent transmission with one simple analytical expression. The fit can also be used to decouple absorption from scattering, allowing for the extraction of important properties such as absorption coefficients.