Search

Evolution of the domain structure (DS) in ultrathin cobalt films, deposited on sapphire substrate with the following structure: X\Au\Co(dCo nm thick layer or wedge)\X (dx nm thick layer or wedge perpendicular to Co wedge axis)Au (where X is V or Mo) with perpendicular magnetization was investigated as a function of thickness dx. The study was performed using an optical polarizing microscope with CCD camera. Images of DS were recorded during various stages of magnetization reversal. A special software based on LabView® was employed for acquisition and processing of domain images. To analyze the observed domain structures, topology properties of magnetic images were determined. Preferential orientation of domain walls was found in ultrathin Co covered by Mo but not by V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetization reversal and domain structures in thin Co films in the thickness range 2 < d < 100 nm with in-plane magnetic anisotropy were studied. Both magneto-optical (MO) vector magnetometry and MO microscopy were used. A crossover of in-plane anisotropy symmetry from two-fold to six-fold was observed with increasing thickness of the Co layer from 2 nm to 100 nm. The evolution of the domain structure during magnetization reversal was studied for various orientations of the magnetic field relative to the anisotropy easy axis using a longitudinal Kerr MO microscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]