The aim of this course is to convey adequate knowledge of magnetism in solids so that magnetic nanostructures can be understood. The specific properties of such nanostructers arise from their large surface-to-volume ratio: increase of the magnetic moment per atom, increase and modification of the anisotropy, reversal of non-conventional magnetic moments, etc. An understanding of these phenomena requires the introduction of new magnetic states and novel models.
We will furthermore discuss dedicated analysis techniques for the variety of nanomagnetic materials that can be fabricated, which have to deal with the small size and quantity of the material, and the possible applications of magnetic nanostructures.