Growth and magnetic properties of ultra-thin Co(0001) films on patterned {rm Mo(110)/Al_2O_3(11overline{2}0)} substrates

Single crystalline patterned Mo(110) films have been prepared on ${rm Al_2O_3(11overline{2}0)}$ using standard lithographical techniques, that can be used as a substrate for 3d magnetic metals epitaxy. The preparation procedure, and the structural and morphological characteristics are presented. We show that the patterned Mo(110) films may be used in a similar way than single crystal Mo(110) substrates. The structural and magnetic properties of a 3 nm-thick cobalt film deposited on the patterned Mo(110) film have been studied. The epitaxial Co layer reveals a uniaxial in-plane magnetic anisotropy as measured by Kerr magnetometry.