Dynamic fluctuations and two-dimensional melting at the spin reorientation transition

Bergeard, N., Jamet, J.P., Mougin, A., Ferré, J., Gierak, J., Bourhis, E. and Stamps, R.L. (2012) Dynamic fluctuations and two-dimensional melting at the spin reorientation transition. Physical Review B, 86(9), 094431. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.094431)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.094431

Abstract

Instabilities and strong spatiotemporal fluctuations in out-of-plane demagnetized stripe domain patterns of a Pt/Co(0.5 nm)/Pt film designed by Ga<sup>+</sup> ion irradiation were visualized by polar magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy and studied in the spin reorientation transition temperature region. A two-dimensional-stripe melting transition was evidenced before reaching the in-plane spin state. Slow dynamics were driven by short-range instabilities on magnetic defects which trigger long-range transverse wall fluctuations. The spatial and temporal behavior of stripelike “floating” patches was investigated. Dynamics cannot be simply interpreted by models previously proposed for liquid crystals.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Stamps, Professor Robert
Authors: Bergeard, N., Jamet, J.P., Mougin, A., Ferré, J., Gierak, J., Bourhis, E., and Stamps, R.L.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Physical Review B
ISSN:1098-0121
ISSN (Online):1550-235X

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