Magnetization Reversal of Disorder-Induced Ferromagnetic Regions in Fe60Al40 Thin Films

Magnetization processes were investigated by employing magnetometry and magnetic domain imaging using magnetooptical longitudinal and polar effects in Fe
₆₀
Al
₄₀
films of 40 nm thickness. The films were initially chemically ordered and weakly ferromagnetic, and a large increase in the saturation magnetization was achieved through chemical disorder induced by Ne
⁺
-ion irradiation. Various sample geometries were investigated: 1) continuous film; 2) homogenously irradiated wire; and 3) magnetic stripe-patterned wire. Magnetization reversal and magnetic domains formed under the influence of the above sample geometries are reported.