Magnetic force microscopy of helical states in multilayer nanomagnets

• We have used magnetic force microscopy (MFM) to investigate noncollinear helical states in multilayer nanomagnets, consisting of a stack of single domain ferromagnetic disks separated by insulating nonmagnetic spacers. The nanomagnets were fabricated from a [Co/Si]x3 multilayer thin film structure by electron beam lithography and ion beam etching. The structural parameters (Co layer and spacer thicknesses) were optimized to obtain a clear spiral signature in the MFM contrast, taking into account the magnetostatic interaction between the layers. MFM contrast corresponding to the helical states with different helicities was observed for the optimized structure with Co layer thicknesses of 16, 11, and 8 nm, and with 3 nm Si spacer thickness.

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NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences (hsv//eng)

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Physics

Fysik

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