O'Shea, K., Rode, K., Kurt, H., McGrouther, D. and MacLaren, D.A. (2015) Concentric 360° domain wall nesting in magnetic tunnel junction films: a Lorentz TEM study. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 48(5), 055001. (doi: 10.1088/0022-3727/48/5/055001)
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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/48/5/055001
Abstract
We describe the formation of an unusual concentric magnetic domain wall pattern in the free layer of a bottom pinned magnetic tunnel junction. Lorentz microscopy reveals that repeated switching of the free layer with a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the exchange bias direction can produce a series of concentric 360° domain wall loops, a phenomenon we refer to as domain wall nesting. We propose two necessary ingredients for the behaviour: (i) inhomogeneities in the grain-by-grain magnetic dispersion that break local symmetry to produce a preferential sense of magnetic rotation upon field switching; and (ii) structural defects that act to pin 360° domain walls. Further control of this behaviour may provide new functionality for future device applications.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | MacLaren, Professor Donald and McGrouther, Dr Damien and O'Shea, Miss Kerry |
| Authors: | O'Shea, K., Rode, K., Kurt, H., McGrouther, D., and MacLaren, D.A. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Journal Name: | Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics |
| Publisher: | Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd. |
| ISSN: | 0022-3727 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1361-6463 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2015 IOP Publishling |
| First Published: | First published in Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics 48(5):055001 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. |
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