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Size Dependent Transition from Shape to Exchange Dominated Magnetic Nanostructures in Patterned Zigzags

Published

Author(s)

Willard C. Uhlig, John Unguris

Abstract

In order to quantitatively investigate the interplay between shape anisotropy (magnetostatics) and exchange, patterned zigzag structures were prepared with sizes varying over two orders of magnitude. The magnetic state is a balance between shape anisotropy, which causes the magnetization to follow the serrated edge of the structure, and exchange which prefers uniform magnetization. In intermediate sized structures, we find that the magnetization along the center of the zigzag oscillates between approximately plus or minus}32° and is relatively independent of the device size. As the dimensions are reduced to less than a critical length λ, the oscillation magnitude drops rapidly. On the other hand, the largest structures develop extended film properties such as multiple vortices and ripple.
Citation
Journal of Applied Physics
Volume
99
Issue
8

Keywords

domain structure, magnetization state, patterned magnetic structures, SEMPA, shape anisotropy

Citation

Uhlig, W. and Unguris, J. (2006), Size Dependent Transition from Shape to Exchange Dominated Magnetic Nanostructures in Patterned Zigzags, Journal of Applied Physics (Accessed December 8, 2024)

Issues

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Created April 16, 2006, Updated October 12, 2021