Switching of nanoscale magnetic elements

Kirk, K. J., Chapman, J.N., McVitie, S. , Aitchison, P.R. and Wilkinson, C.D.W. (1999) Switching of nanoscale magnetic elements. Applied Physics Letters, 75(23), pp. 3683-3685. (doi: 10.1063/1.125428)

Abstract

We have investigated the magnetic properties of ultra-small-patterned elements of Co and NiFe thin films. The elements were rectangular with an aspect ratio in the range 3.75–20. The smallest were 200×40 nm2200×40 nm2 with 50 nm gaps between them, corresponding to an areal density of 27 Gbit/in² if used as discrete-patterned media for magnetic recording. The elements were fabricated by electron-beam lithography and lift-off patterning and high-resolution magnetic images were obtained by Lorentzmicroscopy in a transmission electron microscope.In situmagnetization reversal experiments showed that the strong dependence of the switching field on element width extended to the smallest elements of both materials. The switching field for 40-nm-wide Co elements was 1200 Oe and for 40-nm-wide NiFe elements was 800 Oe. Element length and aspect ratio had little effect.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McVitie, Professor Stephen and Wilkinson, Professor Christopher and Chapman, Professor John
• Authors: Kirk, K. J., Chapman, J.N., McVitie, S., Aitchison, P.R., and Wilkinson, C.D.W.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• ISSN: 0003-6951
• ISSN (Online): 1077-3118