Effect of magnetostatic energy on domain structure and magnetization reversal in (Co/Pd) multilayers

R. Sbiaa*, Z. Bilin, M. Ranjbar, H. K. Tan, S. J. Wong, S. N. Piramanayagam, T. C. Chong

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Magnetization reversal in (Co/Pd) multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy for different numbers of bilayers (N) is investigated experimentally and by theoretical modeling. The focus of this study is on the magnetostatic energy in these structures and its effect on the magnetization reversal behavior and the nature of domain formation. For (Co/Pd) multilayers with small N, sharp magnetization switching and large domains were observed. In contrast, (Co/Pd) multilayers with a large N have long tail in the hysteresis loop that gets more pronounced as N increases. The size of domains becomes considerably smaller as N increases. Based on theoretical modeling that takes into account of the magnetostatic energy from the different magnetic layers, the domain size dependence on the number of bilayers is explained. For large N, the tail in the hysteresis loop is revealed to be the result of an increase in the magnetostatic energy, which at the same time leads to a drastic reduction in domain width.

Original languageEnglish
Article number103901
JournalJournal of Applied Physics
Volume107
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 15 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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