Structure and random anisotropy in single-phase Ni nanocrystals

We prepared high-purity oxygen-free and single-phase Ni nanocrystals using the gas condensation and deposition method in order to examine the random anisotropy model (RAM). The grain size of an as-prepared sample was estimated to be 8-10 nm. Thermal annealing increased grain sizes (D) up to 22 nm. Clear D6 dependence of the coercive force on a grain size smaller than 13 nm was obtained for samples prepared on both plastic and KBr single-crystal substrates. For larger grain sizes, Hc decreased with D-1 and these results clearly conform to the RAM in single-element nanocrystal systems. A local anisotropy constant was estimated from the slope of the D6 relation and the peak of Hc at D=13 nm.