Magnetic domain confinement by anisotropy modulation

The spin configuration in a magnet is in general a "natural" consequence of both the intrinsic properties of the material and the sample dimensions. We demonstrate that this limitation can be overcome in a homogeneous ferromagnetic film by engineering an anisotropy contrast. Substrates wit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2002-02, Vol.88 (8), p.087202-087202, Article 087202
Main Authors: Li, S P, Lew, W S, Bland, J A C, Lopez-Diaz, L, Vaz, C A F, Natali, M, Chen, Y
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The spin configuration in a magnet is in general a "natural" consequence of both the intrinsic properties of the material and the sample dimensions. We demonstrate that this limitation can be overcome in a homogeneous ferromagnetic film by engineering an anisotropy contrast. Substrates with laterally modulated single-crystal and polycrystalline surface regions were used to induce selective epitaxial growth of a ferromagnetic Ni film. The resulting spatially varying magnetic anisotropy leads to regular perpendicular and in-plane magnetic domains, separated by a new type of magnetic wall---the "anisotropy constrained" magnetic wall.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.88.087202