Optimizing Magnetic Domain Density in Co/Pt Ultra Thin Films

Ferromagnetic thin films exhibit magnetic domains. Magnetic domains are regions of the material where atomic magnetic moments are aligned in the same direction. Achieving a higher magnetic domain density in these ferromagnetic materials is desirable, in part because magnetic data storage could be optimized, leading to smaller computer components and higher-capacity data storage. Our group employs a variety of experimental techniques including vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), magnetic force microscopy (MFM), and MATLAB visual analysis to visualize the domain patterns at various stages of magnetization. In particular we study the magnetic domain density in Co/Pt ultra-thin films as a function of the Co layer thickness and previously applied field. Focusing on a series of five samples each with varying layers of Co and a constant 20 repeats of layers on each, we find that the optimal domain density occurs at around 70 to 80% of the saturation field value regardless of Co thickness, which is in line with previous research. [1]

References:

[1] Chesnel et. al., Phys. Rev. B 98, 224404 (2018)