Surface-Step-Induced Double Magnetic Switching of Fe on Vicinal W(100)
Two-level magnetic switching of a bilayer epitaxial Fe film grown on a graded stepped W(100) surface is observed using the magneto-optic Kerr effect. Hysteresis loops produced by the film at a location on the curved W(100) surface corresponding to a vicinal angle of 6.4{sup o} exhibit two abrupt jumps in magnetization following spin orientation perpendicular to the steps resulting from surface-step-induced anisotropy. The two-step process can be understood in terms of abrupt depinning of spins in two inequivalent microdomains associated with the stepped surface. The results suggest a new realm of ultrathin film micromagnetics in which characteristic dimensions of 20--30{angstrom} can play a dominant role.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 40277131
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 87; ISSN 0031-9007
- Publisher:
- The American Physical Society
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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