Coulomb Blockade effects in FePt nanoparticles

In order to correlate the size and crystallinity of FePt nanoparticles with their respective electrical and mangeto-electrical properties individual nanoparticles are contacted using electron beam lithography. The particles are prepared from gas phase on electron transparent SiN membranes which allows the transmission electron microscopy of the same nanoparticle which is characterized electrically. This procedure results in junctions, in which single FePt nanoparticles are connected to external leads. These junctions are tested electronically by measuring the current-voltage characteristics at various gate voltages, temperatures and magnetic fields. We observe Coulomb Blockade effects which are in agreement with the dimensions obtained from the TEM studies. The results of the magnetic nanoparticles are compared to measurements taken on Au nanoparticles of similar sizes.