Positive domain wall resistance of 180 degrees Néel walls in Co thin films.
We measured the intrinsic domain wall resistance (DWR) of 180 degrees Ne el walls in a polycrystalline Co thin film deposited on top of a patterned antiferromagnetic CoO template. After field cooling through the CoO blocking temperature, exchange bias induces a spatially modulated coercivity of the Co film, resulting in a periodic domain pattern with 180 degrees Ne el walls. The intrinsic DWR is determined unambiguously by using rotating magnetic fields that result in a reversible creation and annihilation of the Ne el walls. In contrast with earlier reports, the DWR is positive and in agreement with models based on the giant magnetoresistance mechanism. A reliable, quantitative determination of the DWR requires careful numerical evaluation of the anisotropic magnetoresistance effect.
Buntinx
Dieter
D
Laboratorium voor Vaste-Stoffysica en Magnetisme, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200 D, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. dieter.buntinx@fys.kuleuven.ac.be
Brems
Steven
S
Volodin
Alexander
A
Temst
Kristiaan
K
Van Haesendonck
Chris
C