On the scaling behaviour of cross-tie domain wall structures in patterned NiFe elements

Wiese, N., McVitie, S. , Chapman, J.N., Capella-Kort, A. and Otto, F. (2007) On the scaling behaviour of cross-tie domain wall structures in patterned NiFe elements. Europhysics Letters, 80(5), p. 57003. (doi: 10.1209/0295-5075/80/57003)

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Abstract

The cross-tie domain wall structure in micrometre and sub-micrometre wide patterned elements of NiFe, and a thickness range of 30 to 70nm, has been studied by Lorentz microscopy. Whilst the basic geometry of the cross-tie repeat units remains unchanged, their density increases when the cross-tie length is constrained to be smaller than the value associated with a continuous film. This occurs when element widths are sufficiently narrow or when the wall is forced to move close to an edge under the action of an applied field. To a very good approximation the cross-tie density scales with the inverse of the distance between the main wall and the element edge. The experiments show that in confined structures, the wall constantly modifies its form and that the need to generate, and subsequently annihilate, extra vortex/anti-vortex pairs constitutes an additional source of hysteresis.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Lorentz microscopy Domain Walls Cross-tie Scaling behaviour Hysteresis
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Wiese, Dr Nils and McVitie, Professor Stephen and Chapman, Professor John
Authors: Wiese, N., McVitie, S., Chapman, J.N., Capella-Kort, A., and Otto, F.
Subjects:Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Group:Solid State Physics
Journal Name:Europhysics Letters
Publisher:EDP Sciences
ISSN:0295-5075

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