Strain anisotropy and magnetic domains in embedded nanomagnets

Nord, M. et al. (2019) Strain anisotropy and magnetic domains in embedded nanomagnets. Small, 15(52), 1904738. (doi: 10.1002/smll.201904738) (PMID:31709733)

[img]
Preview
Text
198125.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

1MB

Abstract

Nanoscale modifications of strain and magnetic anisotropy can open pathways to engineering magnetic domains for device applications. A periodic magnetic domain structure can be stabilized in sub‐200 nm wide linear as well as curved magnets, embedded within a flat non‐ferromagnetic thin film. The nanomagnets are produced within a non‐ferromagnetic B2‐ordered Fe60Al40 thin film, where local irradiation by a focused ion beam causes the formation of disordered and strongly ferromagnetic regions of A2 Fe60Al40. An anisotropic lattice relaxation is observed, such that the in‐plane lattice parameter is larger when measured parallel to the magnet short‐axis as compared to its length. This in‐plane structural anisotropy manifests a magnetic anisotropy contribution, generating an easy‐axis parallel to the short axis. The competing effect of the strain and shape anisotropies stabilizes a periodic domain pattern in linear as well as spiral nanomagnets, providing a versatile and geometrically controllable path to engineering the strain and thereby the magnetic anisotropy at the nanoscale.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Financial support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) through the Grant No. BA5656/1-1is acknowledged. Irradiation experiments were performed at the Ion Beam Center of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). Caleb MacLaren assisted with the DPC image calculations.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McGrouther, Dr Damien and MacLaren, Dr Ian and Paterson, Dr Gary and Nord, Dr Magnus
Authors: Nord, M., Semisalova, A., Kákay, A., Hlawacek, G., MacLaren, I., Liersch, V., Volkov, O. M., Makarov, D., Paterson, G. W., Potzger, K., Lindner, J., Fassbender, J., McGrouther, D., and Bali, R.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Small
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1613-6810
ISSN (Online):1613-6829
Published Online:11 November 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Small 15(52):1904738
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
171131Fast Pixel Detectors: a paradigm shift in STEM imagingIan MacLarenEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/M009963/1P&S - Physics & Astronomy