The effect of reduced size on the mechanical and elastic properties measured on $35\mathrm{nm}$ diameter Ni and Co nanowires is presented and discussed. The stresses induced in the nanowires due to the different thermal expansion constants of the metal and alumina change the magnetic properties of the nanowires, allowing one to measure the effective Young’s modulus and the surface tension of the nanowires by means of simple magnetometry. The Young’s modulus of the longer nanowire is higher than that of the shorter one that is comparable to its bulk value. This effect is successfully attributed to surface tension effects.

• Received 29 August 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.76.233410