2-DIMENSIONAL ARRAYS OF MAGNETIC STRIPES AND DOTS PATTERNED BY LASER-ABLATION

Fabrication of two-dimensional (2D) arrays of magnetic stripes, bars, or dots is presented from a very simple, fast, and low-cost technique of laser ablation. This process is alternative to the usual but heavie r photolithography method. Ablated tracks have been produced with part ial or total etching down to the magnetic layer substrate and width fr om 3 to 100 mu m depending on the laser defocusing and power and the v elocity of the sample induced by a motorized X-Y translation stage. Di fferent patterns corresponding to magnetic stripes, bars, and square 2 D arrays with different shape factors and sizes decreasing from millim eter to micron scale have been realized. Strong changes in both static and dynamical magnetic properties of the films are induced by the las er patterning as discussed from the magnetization processes of domain walls at low frequency and the complex permeability in the microwave r ange. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.