This research investigates the transport properties of ferromagnetic nanostructures made by nickel or cobalt on superconducting thin films. The superconducting thin films were covered by an insulating layer, and the periodic ferromagnetic nanostructures were fabricated on top of the insulating layer. On separate superconducting thin films, periodic ferromagnetic nanostructures were embedded into the thin films. The photolithography method was used to make contact pads for a four-probe measurement. In order to fabricate the magnetic nanostructures, an Electron Beam Lithography (EBL) system was utilized. The nanoscale patterns were filled with ferromagnetic materials by using a thermal evaporating method or an electroplating technique. The superconducting properties were measured at low temperature (2.0 K

This dissertation describes experimental studies of how a spatially alternating magnetic field can effectively pin the magnetic flux in a superconducting thin film (Pb 82 Bi18), thereby enhancing the superconductivity. The spatially alternating magnetic field was provided by a periodic array of nano-sized magnetic structures: 300 nm spacing triangular array of cobalt rods with 100 nm diameter and 300 nm height. The superconducting film deposited on top of the magnetic structures, or an embedded Ferromagnet- Superconductor Hybrids (FSH), showed enhanced critical current and critical magnetic field. The embedded FSH also showed the field matching effect, the field compensation effect, and hysteresis. This dissertation also explains how to fabricate and characterize magnetic nano- structures. Electron beam lithography and electroplating method were used to fabricate the magnetic nanostructures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the structures of the magnetic rods. Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) was used to study their magnetic properties.

With the continuous advancement of nanoscale-based data storage and memory technologies, a significant reduction in the dimensions of various materials and devices lead to an array of advancement-hindering phenomenon. The roadblock for these technologies is to find nanomaterials that can support the operation and progression with reducing scales. The focus of the presented research is to create new thin film compositions that take advantage of already optimized conventional materials. We explore layering different thin films in a way that uses the strength of each material while minimizes their weaknesses. These multilayer thin films are tailor-made to the specific functionality of a device or technology. In this work, design, fabrication, and characterization solutions relating to optical-based and magnetic-based futuristic nanotechnologies are explored.