Operation margins of magneto-optic arrays

Square cells of different sizes (4 × 4 μm to 100 μm × 100 μm) were formed in Bi doped films (
h= 1.2 \mu
m) by ion milling. Hyteresis cycles of these cells were found to be dependant of magnetic characteristics of the film, dimensions of the structure, and ion implantation with different annealing temperature. Arrays of 4 × 4 cells with four different designs were then investigated. Switching was achieved by the conjunction of an external uniform bias field and the field created by pulsing two electrical conductors of the array. Theoretical operation area was then determined. Operations margins (± 10% of the nominal value) were measured and found to be dependant on the width of the conductors. Cells with ovelapping conductors have a lower switching current due (1) to the stresses developed in the conductors and (2) to better proximity to the cell.