Micromagnetic domain structures and magnetization switching mechanism in submicron thin film elements

Experimental and numerical micromagnetic studies of the magnetization configuration and switching process in Pac-man (PM) shaped Ni/sub 80/Fe/sub 20/ samples with different geometries defined by the variation of the slot angle were presented. Scanning electron microscope images of patterned PM-I and PM-II magnetic elements were shown. These permalloy films were sputter deposited and their magnetic configurations were measured. The results concluded that vortex core formation and vortex-driven complex magnetization reversal can be effectively suppressed by modifying the slot angles. The hysteresis loops and domain configurations during the reversal implied that PM-II elements with large slot angles were more suitable for magnetic random access memory (MRAM) applications.