Magnetic domain confinement by anisotropy modulation.
The spin configuration in a magnet is in general a "natural" consequence of both the intrinsic properties of the material and the sample dimensions. We demonstrate that this limitation can be overcome in a homogeneous ferromagnetic film by engineering an anisotropy contrast. Substrates with laterally modulated single-crystal and polycrystalline surface regions were used to induce selective epitaxial growth of a ferromagnetic Ni film. The resulting spatially varying magnetic anisotropy leads to regular perpendicular and in-plane magnetic domains, separated by a new type of magnetic wall---the "anisotropy constrained" magnetic wall.
Li
S P
SP
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
Lew
W S
WS
Bland
J A C
JA
Lopez-Diaz
L
L
Vaz
C A F
CA
Natali
M
M
Chen
Y
Y