A magnetic force microscopy study of the magnetic reversal of a single Fe nanowire.
The magnetization reversal properties of a single 60 nm diameter Fe nanowire were investigated with an in-field magnetic force microscope (MFM). MFM images were observed in a successively decreasing applied field, at various angles between the applied field and the nanowire axis. The results show that the magnetization undergoes a sharp reversal at various angles. When the applied field deviates from the nanowire axis, before complete magnetization reversal, a coherent rotation of magnetic moments inside the nanowire and a stable vortex state at the end of the nanowire are exhibited. The angle dependence of the switching field can be closely described by a curling model, despite the fact the magnetization reversal process is not identical to this model.
Wang
T
T
VBL of Akita University, Gakuen Machi 1-1, Tegata, Akita 010-8502, Japan. wangtlz@hotmail.com
Wang
Y
Y
Fu
Y
Y
Hasegawa
T
T
Li
F S
FS
Saito
H
H
Ishio
S
S
D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008280:Magnetics / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010316:Particle Size
D007501:Iron