The effect of the thickness and microstructural features on the switching behaviour of granular CoCrPt:SiO2 films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy was investigated. TEM plane view and cross section analysis indicate that, while the very first layers grow as uniform nanograins in close contact, the growth proceeds by formation of well-defined CoCrPt columnar islands (7 nm average size) separated by the silicon oxide, the distance among the islands remaining roughly constant along the whole thickness. The relation between such non-uniform microstructure and the magnetization reversal mechanism at room temperature was investigated by performing hysteresis loops at variable angle as well as time dependent measurements by using a vector vibrating sample magnetometer. Numerical micromagnetic simulations of the hysteresis loops have been carried out to support the description of the experimental observations. The results showed a coexistence of coherent and incoherent reversal processes, the former being more and more pronounced with increasing the magnetic layer thickness, consistently with the microstructural investigations.

Study of microstructure and magnetization reversal mechanism in granular CoCrPt:SiO2 films of variable thickness

DEL BIANCO, Lucia;
2013

Abstract

The effect of the thickness and microstructural features on the switching behaviour of granular CoCrPt:SiO2 films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy was investigated. TEM plane view and cross section analysis indicate that, while the very first layers grow as uniform nanograins in close contact, the growth proceeds by formation of well-defined CoCrPt columnar islands (7 nm average size) separated by the silicon oxide, the distance among the islands remaining roughly constant along the whole thickness. The relation between such non-uniform microstructure and the magnetization reversal mechanism at room temperature was investigated by performing hysteresis loops at variable angle as well as time dependent measurements by using a vector vibrating sample magnetometer. Numerical micromagnetic simulations of the hysteresis loops have been carried out to support the description of the experimental observations. The results showed a coexistence of coherent and incoherent reversal processes, the former being more and more pronounced with increasing the magnetic layer thickness, consistently with the microstructural investigations.
2013
G., Varvaro; A. M., Testa; E., Agostinelli; D., Fiorani; S., Laureti; F., Springer; C., Brombacher; M., Albrecht; DEL BIANCO, Lucia; G., Barucca; P., ...espandi
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Del Bianco Mat Chem Phys 2013.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: versione editoriale
Tipologia: Full text (versione editoriale)
Licenza: PUBBLICO - Pubblico con Copyright
Dimensione 1.7 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.7 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11392/2331590
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 12
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 12
social impact