Oscillatory decay of magnetization induced by domain-wall stray fields
The demagnetization of a hard ferromagnetic layer via the fringing fields of domain walls created by reversing the moment of a neighboring soft ferromagnetic layer is explored experimentally. An unusual oscillatory decay of the magnetic moment of the hard layer is observed using structures in which the demagnetization occurs after a few hundred cycles. This surprising observation is confirmed on a microscopic scale by detailed imaging of the magnetization of the hard layer using high resolution photoemission electron microscopy and by micromagnetic simulations.
Thomas
L
IBM Research Division, Almaden Research Center, San Jose, California 95120-6099, USA.
Luning
J
Scholl
A
Nolting
F
Anders
S
Stohr
J
Parkin
SS