Identifying reversible and irreversible magnetization changes in prototype patterned media using first- and second-order reversal curves

Winklhofer, Michael; Dumas, Randy K. and Liu, Kai (2008): Identifying reversible and irreversible magnetization changes in prototype patterned media using first- and second-order reversal curves. In: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 103, No. 7

Abstract

Arrays of nanomagnets have important potential applications as futuregeneration ultrahigh-density patterned magnetic recording media, inwhich each nanomagnet constitutes a single bit. We introduce a powerfultechnique to identify and quantify reversible and irreversiblemagnetization changes, a key challenge in characterizing these systems.The experimental protocol consists of measuring a few families ofsecond-order reversal curves along selected profiles in thefirst-order-reversal-curve diagram, which then can be decomposed intotruly irreversible switching events and reversible magnetizationchanges. The viability of the method is demonstrated for arrays ofsub-100-nm Fe nanomagnets, which exhibit complex magnetization reversalprocesses. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Geosciences > Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences > Crystallography and Materials Science
• Subjects: 500 Science > 550 Earth sciences and geology
• Language: English