Transverse and vortex domain wall structure in magnetic nanowires with uniaxial in-plane anisotropy

J Phys Condens Matter. 2012 Jan 18;24(2):024205. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/24/2/024205. Epub 2011 Dec 15.

Abstract

Micromagnetic and analytical models are used to investigate how in-plane uniaxial anisotropy affects transverse and vortex domain walls in nanowires where shape anisotropy dominates. The effect of the uniaxial anisotropy can be interpreted as a modification of the effective wire dimensions. When the anisotropy axis is aligned with the wire axis (θ(a) = 0), the wall width is narrower than when no anisotropy is present. Conversely, the wall width increases when the anisotropy axis is perpendicular to the wire axis (θ(a) = π/2). The anisotropy also affects the nanowire dimensions at which transverse walls become unstable. This phase boundary shifts to larger widths or thicknesses when θ(a) = 0, but smaller widths or thicknesses when θ(a) = π/2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't