Magneto-optical Kerr Effect Studies of Artificial Frustrated Magnets

ORAL

Abstract

We use the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) to study the collective magnetic behavior of geometrically frustrated arrays of single-domain ferromagnetic islands. By varying the island spacing, lattice geometry and the orientation relative to the magnetic field, we probe the properties of the arrays via MOKE measurements of the net moment of the arrays. We study the influence of local geometry and frustration on the collective magnetization reversal process, using the switching field as a measure. Further, angle-resolved MOKE measurements probe the influence of individual island shape anisotropy on the collective anisotropy of interacting arrays. Finally, we present preliminary measurements in an oscillating magnetic field. The results are compared to the results of micromagnetic simulation. We thank M. Ericson and C. Leighton for sample preparation. This research was supported by the US Dept. of Energy.

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Authors

  • K.K. Kohli

    Pennsylvania State University

  • A.L. Balk

    Pennsylvania State University, Physics Dept., Penn State University, University Park PA 16802

  • Jie Li

    Pennsylvania State University, Department of Physics and Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, Penn State University

  • Sheng Zhang

    Pennsylvania State University, Department of Physics and Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, Penn State University

  • Paul Lammert

    Pennsylvania State University, Department of Physics and Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, Penn State University

  • Vincent Crespi

    Penn State University, Pennsylvania State University, Department of Physics, Penn State University, Department of Physics and Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802

  • Peter Schiffer

    The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, Pennsylvania State University, Department of Physics and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA, Department of Physics and Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, Penn State University

  • N. Samarth

    Department of Physics and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, Physics Dept., Penn State University, University Park PA 16802, Pennsylvania State University, Department of Physics and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA, Center for Nanoscale Science and Materials Research Institute, Penn State University, University Park PA 16802.