Abstract
It is demonstrated that the large-area FePt network nanostructures with strong perpendicular anisotropy can be obtained by growing the mask of porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) directly on the L1 0 -FePt films and subsequent plasma etching. The aspect ratio of the AAO mask is critical to achieve well-organized FePt networks. The out-of-plane coercivity of FePt networks is enhanced by 20 compared to that of the FePt film, due to the domain wall pinning effects imposed by the presence of pores. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.