Magnetic interactions in compositionally modulated nanowire arrays. (23rd September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Palmero, Ester M; Béron, Fanny; Bran, Cristina; del Real, Rafael P; Vázquez, Manuel
• Is Part Of: Nanotechnology. Volume 27:Number 43(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-09-23
• Subjects: cylindrical nanowire -- compositional modulation -- first-order reversal curve (FORC) -- magnetic interactions; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology; Publications périodiques; Nanotechnologies; Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/43/435705
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-4484

Abstract

Abstract: Series of high hexagonally ordered compositionally modulated nanowire arrays, with different Cu layer and FeCoCu segment thicknesses and a constant diameter of 35 nm, were fabricated by electroplating from a single electrolytic bath into anodic aluminum oxide membranes. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of ferromagnetic (FM) segment and non-ferromagnetic (NFM) layer thickness on the magnetic properties, particularly coercivity and magnetic interactions. First-order reversal curve (FORC) measurements and simulations were performed to quantify the effect of the inter-/intra-nanowire magnetostatic interactions on the coercivity and interaction field distributions. The FORC coercivity increases for a thick NFM layer and long FM segments due to decoupling of the the FM segments and the increased shape anisotropy, respectively. On the other hand, the interaction field presents a parallel strong reduction for a thick NFM layer and thin FM segments, which is ascribed to a similar NFM/FM thickness ratio and degree of FM segment decoupling along the nanowire.