Controlling nucleation in perpendicularly magnetized nanowires through in-plane shape

Mansell, R., Beguivin, A., Petit, D.C.M.C., Fernández-Pacheco, A. , Lee, J.H. and Cowburn, R.P. (2015) Controlling nucleation in perpendicularly magnetized nanowires through in-plane shape. Applied Physics Letters, 107(9), 092405. (doi: 10.1063/1.4930152)

Abstract

The nucleation field of perpendicularly magnetized nanowires can be controlled by changing their width, so that below a critical width the nucleation field decreases as the width decreases. Placing pads at the ends of the nanowires prevents any reduction in coercivity with width, demonstrating that at small widths domain walls nucleate from the ends of the wires. Using this technique, we are able to create asymmetric nanowires with controlled nucleation at a defined point. We also show how dipole fields from a neighboring wire in close proximity can be used to shift the hysteresis loop of the asymmetric nanowire, creating a simple NOT gate. These results show how control of the in-plane shape of perpendicularly magnetized nanoscale elements can directly lead to device functionality.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fernandez-Pacheco, Dr Amalio
• Authors: Mansell, R., Beguivin, A., Petit, D.C.M.C., Fernández-Pacheco, A., Lee, J.H., and Cowburn, R.P.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters
• Publisher: AIP Publishing
• ISSN: 0003-6951
• ISSN (Online): 1077-3118
• Published Online: 03 September 2015