Magnetostatic interaction effects in switching field distribution of conventional and staggered bit-patterned media

Effect of magnetostatic interaction on the switching field distribution (SFD) of nanodots with a diameter of 30 nm was investigated in square (conventional) and hexagonal (staggered) lattice configurations. The objective of the study is to achieve different kinds of magnetostatic interaction in experimental samples and to understand their influence on SFD. It was observed that the SFD was wider in the staggered lattice. Micromagnetic simulation was carried out and a fit of experimental results to the simulation was made to understand the observed trends. In addition, magnetic layers with an antiferromagnetic coupling configuration were also studied in the two geometries. The SFD of antiferromagnetically coupled dots was further reduced, highlighting the effect of magnetostatic interaction.