Quantitative Nanoscale Magnetic Study of Isolated Diameter-Modulated FeCoCu Nanowires.
The comprehension of the magnetic configuration in FeCoCu nanowires with a diameter-modulated cylindrical geometry will allow controlling the domain wall motion in this low-dimensional system under the application of magnetic fields and/or the injection of current pulses. Here we perform a quantitative magnetic characterization of isolated diameter-modulated FeCoCu nanowires by combining nanoscale magnetic characterization techniques such as electron holography, magnetic force microscopy, and micromagnetic simulations. Local reconstructions of the magnetic distribution show the diameter-modulated geometry of the wires induces the formation of vortex-like structures and magnetic charges in the regions where the diameter is varied. Vortex-like structures modify the axial alignment of the magnetization in large-diameter segments. Moreover, the magnetic charges control the demagnetizing field distribution, promoting a flux-closure stray field configuration around large-diameter segments and keeping the demagnetizing field parallel to the NW's magnetization around small diameter segments. The detailed description of the remanent state in diameter-modulated cylindrical FeCoCu nanowires allows us to provide a clear explanation of the origin of bright and dark contrast observed in magnetic force microscopy images, which have the same feature of magnetic domain walls. This work establishes the primary knowledge required for future magnetization reversal studies with the aim of searching efficient modulated geometries that allow an optimum and controlled domain wall propagation.
CEMES-CNRS 29 , rue Jeanne Marvig, B.P. 94347, F-31055 Toulouse Cedex, France.
Luis Alfredo
LA
Rodríguez
Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC) , Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049 Spain.
Cristina
C
Bran
CEMES-CNRS 29 , rue Jeanne Marvig, B.P. 94347, F-31055 Toulouse Cedex, France.
David
D
Reyes
Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC) , Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049 Spain.
Eider
E
Berganza
Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC) , Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049 Spain.
Manuel
M
Vázquez
CEMES-CNRS 29 , rue Jeanne Marvig, B.P. 94347, F-31055 Toulouse Cedex, France.
Christophe
C
Gatel
CEMES-CNRS 29 , rue Jeanne Marvig, B.P. 94347, F-31055 Toulouse Cedex, France.
Etienne
E
Snoeck
Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM-CSIC) , Cantoblanco, Madrid 28049 Spain.
Agustina
A
Asenjo
electron holography; magnetic charges; magnetic imaging; magnetic nanowires; micromagnetic simulations; spin configuration