Highly asymmetric magnetic domain wall propagation due to coupling to a periodic pinning potential

Novak, R.L. et al. (2015) Highly asymmetric magnetic domain wall propagation due to coupling to a periodic pinning potential. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 48(23), 235004. (doi: 10.1088/0022-3727/48/23/235004)

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Abstract

Magneto-optical microscopy and magnetometry have been used to study 19 magnetization reversal in an ultrathin magnetically soft [Pt/Co]2 ferromagnetic film 20 coupled to an array of magnetically harder [Co/Pt]4 nanodots via a predominantly 21 dipolar interaction across a 3 nm Pt spacer. This interaction generates a spatially 22 periodic pinning potential for domain walls propagating through the continuous 23 magnetic film. When reversing the applied field with respect to the static nanodot 24 array magnetization orientation, strong asymmetries in the wall velocity and switching 25 fields are observed. Asymmetric switching fields mean that the hysteresis of the film is 26 characterized by a large bias field of dipolar origin which is linked to the wall velocity 27 asymmetry. This latter asymmetry, though large at low fields, vanishes at high fields 28 where the domains become round and compact. A field-polarity-controlled transition 29 from dendritic to compact faceted domain structures is also seen at low field and a 30 model is proposed to interpret the transition.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Stamps, Professor Robert
Authors: Novak, R.L., Metaxas, P.J., Jamet, J.P., Weil, R., Ferre, J., Mougin, A., Rohart, S., Stamps, R., Zermatten, P.J., Gaudin, G., Baltz, V., and Rodmacq, B.
Subjects:Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Publisher:IOP Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:0022-3727
ISSN (Online):1361-6463
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 IOP Publishing Ltd
First Published:First published in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics 48(23):235004
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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