title: Asymmetric domain nucleation and unusual magnetization reversal in ultrathin Co films with perpendicular anisotropy.
abstract: We report unexpected phenomena during magnetization reversal in ultrathin Co films and Co/Pt multilayers with perpendicular anisotropy. Using magneto-optical Kerr microscopy and magnetic force microscopy we have observed asymmetrical nucleation centers where the reversal begins for one direction of the field only and is characterized by an acute asymmetry of domain-wall mobility. We have also observed magnetic domains with a continuously varying average magnetization, which can be explained in terms of the coexistence of three magnetic phases: up, down, and striped.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Solid State Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka 142432, Russia.
authors.forename: Y L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Iunin
authors.forename: Y P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Kabanov
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Nikitenko
authors.forename: X M
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Tretiakov
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tchernyshyov
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Shull
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chien