Metastable magnetic domain in bifurcated nanowire network probed by domain wall magnetoresistance

We investigate the nanowire network with one input and two outputs for the magneto-resistive signal processing by angle dependent field. The effect of topological defect in the bifurcated nanowire and the angle dependent field leads to a pinned domain wall (DW) and subsequently the local magnetic domain reversal at the junction of triple nanowire network. A transverse DW propagates in a selected part of branch in a network with an alternating magnetic field. The asymmetric MR curve demonstrates how the magnetization configuration affects to the change of resistance due to the interplay between the local magnetization and the propagation of DW at the selected nanowire. The MR measurement reveals that the bifurcated branch is able to obtain the distinct signals via the bifurcated current paths in the magnetic nanowire network. In the experiment, the resistance-sensitive signals related to local magnetization reversal and DW were collected at a low field. The low external field induces the deformation of domain magnetization configuration and DW in the bifurcated branches in nanowire network without any injected DW through a selected input nanowire branch. Then, the MR curve obtained from the nanowire network was compared with micromagnetic simulation configurations.