Magnetic Configurations in Co/Cu Multilayered Nanowires: Evidence of Structural and Magnetic Interplay

Nano Lett. 2016 Feb 10;16(2):1230-6. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b04553. Epub 2016 Jan 25.

Abstract

Off-axis electron holography experiments have been combined with micromagnetic simulations to study the remnant magnetic states of electrodeposited Co/Cu multilayered nanocylinders. Structural and chemical data obtained by transmission electron microscopy have been introduced in the simulations. Three different magnetic configurations such as an antiparallel coupling of the Co layers, coupled vortices, and a monodomain-like state have been quantitatively mapped and simulated. While most of the wires present the same remnant state whatever the direction of the saturation field, we show that some layers can present a change from an antiparallel coupling to vortices. Such a configuration can be of particular interest to design nano-oscillators with two different working frequencies.

Keywords: Magnetic configuration; antiparallel coupling; electron holography; magnetic materials; micromagnetic simulation; nanowire; vortex state.