Magnetic coupling in self-organized narrow-spaced Fe nanowire arrays

Abstract

Fe nanowire arrays have been grown on self-organized NaCl [110] gratings. The typical wire size is 42 nm/spl times/13 nm/spl times/10 /spl mu/m, with a period of approximately 90 nm. The magnetic properties were dominated by a strong in-plane shape anisotropy. Coherent switching dominated the reversal process due to dipole coupling ascribed to narrow gaps between the wires. The small width and height of the individual wires prevented domain wall formation. Electron holography has been used to confirm the type of ferromagnetic coupling between the wires. Experimental results are compared with quantitative three-dimensional micromagnetics calculations.