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We have investigated a method for measuring the dimensions of an individual multilayered Fe-Ga/Cu nanowire (NW) as it changes with induced magnetization. In this study, we demonstrate the proposed approach and establish this as a viable method for measuring the magnetostrictive behavior of an individual Fe-Ga/Cu NW using atomic force microscopy (AFM). When an external magnetic field (∼300 Oe) was applied perpendicular to the NW axis, the NW length appeared minimized. When a field (∼1000 Oe) was applied parallel to the NW axis, the height profile of the NW was found to be higher than in the case with no parallel external field. Since both ends of the NW were welded to the substrate, the magnetic field induced dimensional change of the NW caused deflection of the NW in the upward direction, which was significant enough to be detected by AFM. An average height difference of 15 nm was measured with and without an applied field which was then used to calculate the magnetostriction of the multilayered NW.

We have investigated nano-scale magnetic structures to learn how magnetic behaviors differ from what is observed in bulk materials. In this study, we have measured the magnetic hysteresis of individual multilayered nanowire using a magnetic force microscopy (MFM). The nanowires were composed of low-aspect ratio segments of iron-gallium (Galfenol, Fe80Ga20) and copper layers. Individual wires were released from nano-porous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates and separated from other nanowires to avoid significant interactions between nearby nanowires. In this experiment, structures with aspects ratios c/a of ∼3 were studied. Different MFM phase magnitudes in response to the interaction of magnetic film coated MFM tips and Fe-Ga/Cu nanowire were observed as a function of applied external magnetic field (−850 Oe < H < 850 Oe). Amplitude differences between bright and dark responses in MFM images were used to demonstrate hysteresis. Coercivity measured was about 125 Oe, which is almost same as the coercivity value (∼150 Oe) of a nanowire array measured with a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). When fields are applied perpendicular to the nanowires, the hysteresis loops sheared, indicating that the easy axis is along the nanowire axis. Remanence magnetizations of an individual nanowire and a nanowire array were compared to demonstrate inter-wire magnetostatic dipolar interaction.

In this work, magnetization reversal mechanisms in various 35 nm diameter Fe80Ga20/Cu multilayered nanowire arrays were studied by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) equipped with vector coils, making it possible to monitor both x- and y-components of the sample moment during reversal. When reversal fields were applied in the low angular range (0 – 60°), all nanowire structures, irrespective of Fe80Ga20 or Cu aspect ratios, experienced reversal by nucleation and propagation of a vortex domain wall. However, when fields were applied in the high angular range of 60–90°, reversal occurred by coherent rotation. Using vector-VSM, it was further shown that in structures with pancake-like Fe80Ga20 segments, the extent to which moments in adjacent segments rotate cooperatively decreased as the Cu thickness increased.

We investigate the magnetic properties of magnetostrictive iron-gallium (Galfenol, Fe100−xGax, 10≤x≤25 at. %) nanowires with magnetic force microscopy (MFM) and using micromagnetic modeling software (magpar). Wires with diameters of 150 nm were fabricated in alternating multilayered structures with Fe-Ga and Cu having aspect ratios of ∼2 and ∼0.5, respectively, with the goal of minimizing the relative contribution of shape anisotropy to magnetic domain alignment. Micromagnetic simulations of isolated Fe-Ga segments with these dimensions predict that (1) at remanence, two opposing vortex structures will form at the ends of a Fe-Ga segment, with a single domain wall in the middle of the segment and (2) traditional magnetic dipoles will form at the ends of the segment to align with a large (saturation) external magnetic field. MFM results are presented that support these models. At remanence, no contrast is observed in the MFM phase images. Magnetic poles become evident at the ends of the Fe-Ga segments when...