Preface: Phys. Status Solidi A 206/4

Abstract

AbstractThin magnetic wires have been available for more than two decades. During this time, the unique properties of these materials have led to many applications, especially in the fields of sensors and electronic devices. Recognising the importance of these materials for science and technology, four international workshops have been organised in past years, namely London (UK) in 1990, Albuquerque (New Mexico, USA) in 1994, Nagoya (Japan) in 1999 and San Sebastián (Spain) in 2001. A wide range of topics have been addressed from technological problems of micro‐ and nano‐wire fabrication, to advanced physical effects and novel applications. This proceedings publication contains scientific papers presented at the 5th International Workshop on Magnetic Wires (IWMW) held in Zumaia (Basque Country, Spain) in 2008.The organisation of this meeting was based on the continuing interest of many research and technological groups in these materials. Over the years the dimensionality has evolved from almost bulk (120 μm thick wires) through micrometric (10–20 μm thick micro‐wires) to nanometric wires, presented at the last two meetings. The 5th IWMW focused on recent advances in physical effects and related applications, such as magnetic and magneto‐transport properties of micro‐ and nano‐wires, tuneable meta‐materials based on magnetic wires, tailoring magnetic anisotropy in micro‐wires for high‐performance sensing applications and low‐dimensional magnetism in nano‐wires.The workshop provided a forum for the magnetism community working in this area allowing discussion of new concepts, properties and developments in the field of magnetic materials and their applications. At the workshop there were 25 oral (plenary, invited and oral) and 9 poster presentations, given by participants from 15 different countries. The total number of participants was 50.After a rigorous review process, 18 papers were accepted for publication in the proceedings as this special issue of physica status solidi (a); two further papers are published in physica status solidi (c). We hope that this special issue will provide a real opportunity for researchers who are involved in this field of magnetism to share new ideas and concepts in this research field, favouring discussions about the future basis and perspectives on the potential technological applications for different industrial sectors.We hope that this special issue will be of interest to readers and that it will be useful for people involved in this subject of scientific research.We would like to express our gratitude for the high quality of the invited speakers and to the authors who have contributed to these proceedings.It is worth mentioning that the subject of magnetic wires is also an important topic of research in the Basque Country University (UPV/EHU) and particularly in San Sebastián, where this kind of research is carried out by the Magnetic Group of the UPV/EHU. That is why we were encouraged by the international advisory committee to organise this workshop near to San Sebastián. We acknowledge our sponsors and institutions for financial and moral support. The workshop was supported by the Research of Vicerectoral of the UPV/EHU, by the Research Department of the Basque Government and by the Zumaia municipality. Zumaia is a small village located about 30 km from San Sebastián on the coast of the Bay of Biscay.The IWMW 2008 was organised mostly by the members of the Magnetic Group of the UPV/EHU. We would like to acknowledge the active participation of all members of the Magnetic Group (especially those who participated in the local organising committee and conference secretariat) (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)