Dimensionality crossover in ferromagnetic/superconducting films: Role of magnetic history*

Amorphous NdCo$_{5}$ films are ferromagnetic samples with a weak perpendicular magnetic anisotropy which can show small magnetic domain sizes (less than 100 nm) with labyrinthine structures. Sputtering technique is used to fabricate Nb/Al(5nm)/ NdCo$_{5}$ superconducting films on Si substrates. The temperature dependence of the upper critical field shows features which could be related to an ``imprinting'' of the domain structure of NdCo5 layers in the superconducting Nb film. This peculiar proximity effect governs the superconductivity dimensionality crossover from 1D to a regime between 1D and 2D typical of superconducting wire network. This superconducting crossover can be connected to the NdCo$_{5}$ magnetic history.