Spin configurations in Co2FeAl0.4Si0.6 Heusler alloy thin film elements

We determine experimentally the spin structure of half-metallic Co2FeAl0.4Si0.6 Heusler alloy elements using magnetic microscopy. Following magnetic saturation, the dominant magnetic states consist of quasi-uniform configurations, where a strong influence from the magnetocrystalline anisotropy is vi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics letters 2011-10, Vol.99 (18)
Main Authors: Vaz, C. A. F., Rhensius, J., Heidler, J., Wohlhüter, P., Bisig, A., Körner, H. S., Mentes, T. O., Locatelli, A., Guyader, L. Le, Nolting, F., Graf, T., Felser, C., Heyderman, L. J., Kläui, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We determine experimentally the spin structure of half-metallic Co2FeAl0.4Si0.6 Heusler alloy elements using magnetic microscopy. Following magnetic saturation, the dominant magnetic states consist of quasi-uniform configurations, where a strong influence from the magnetocrystalline anisotropy is visible. Heating experiments show the stability of the spin configuration of domain walls in confined geometries up to 800 K. The switching temperature for the transition from transverse to vortex walls in ring elements is found to increase with ring width, an effect attributed to structural changes and consequent changes in magnetic anisotropy, which start to occur in the narrower elements at lower temperatures.
ISSN:0003-6951
1077-3118
DOI:10.1063/1.3657828