Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 117204 (2007) [4 pages]

Asymmetric Domain Nucleation and Unusual Magnetization Reversal in Ultrathin Co Films with Perpendicular Anisotropy

Abstract

References

Citing Articles (13)

Download: PDF (617 kB) Buy this article Export: BibTeX or EndNote (RIS)

Y. L. Iunin¹, Y. P. Kabanov¹, V. I. Nikitenko^1,2,3, X. M. Cheng², D. Clarke², O. A. Tretiakov², O. Tchernyshyov², A. J. Shapiro³, R. D. Shull², and C. L. Chien²
¹Institute of Solid State Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka 142432, Russia
²The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 21218, Maryland, USA
³National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg 20899, Maryland, USA

Received 15 June 2006; published 16 March 2007

We report unexpected phenomena during magnetization reversal in ultrathin Co films and Co/Pt multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy. Using magneto-optical Kerr microscopy and magnetic force microscopy we have observed asymmetrical nucleation centers where the reversal begins for one direction of the field only and is characterized by an acute asymmetry of domain-wall mobility. We have also observed magnetic domains with a continuously varying average magnetization, which can be explained in terms of the coexistence of three magnetic phases: up, down, and striped.

URL:

http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.117204

DOI:

10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.117204

PACS:

75.60.Ch, 75.70.Ak

About | Terms and Conditions | Subscriptions | Search | Help

Use of the American Physical Society websites and journals implies that the user has read and agrees to our Terms and Conditions and any applicable Subscription Agreement. Physical Review®, Physical Review Letters®, Reviews of Modern Physics®, and Physical Review Special Topics® are trademarks of the American Physical Society.

Citation Search:

Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 117204 (2007) [4 pages]

Asymmetric Domain Nucleation and Unusual Magnetization Reversal in Ultrathin Co Films with Perpendicular Anisotropy