Dynamic Magneto-Optical Kerr Imaging of Perpendicular Anisotropy Artificial Spin Ice Geometries

ORAL

Abstract

We present a spatially resolved magneto-optical Kerr imaging study on the magnetization reversal, as a function of applied field, of patterned arrays of perpendicular anisotropy single domain islands. Patterns are made of large collections of CoPt multilayer islands with frustrated (Kagome, triangular) and unfrustrated (square, hexagonal) geometries. Field induced switching is imaged with a Kerr imaging apparatus equipped with an objective lens that allows for diffraction limited spatial resolution as low as 250nm and imaging acquisition as fast as 12 frames/second. The magnetization reversal process is probed by varying lattice spacing, geometry, and artificial defects in the patterned arrays.

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Authors

  • Robert Fraleigh

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

  • Paul Lammert

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

  • Vincent Crespi

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

  • Nitin Samarth

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

  • Ian Gilbert

    Department of Physics and the Federick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • P. Schiffer

    Department of Physics and the Federick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign