Spin-wave quantization and dynamic coupling in micron-size circular magnetic dots

We report on the observation of spin-wave quantization in square arrays of micron-size circular magnetic Ni80Fe20 dots by means of Brillouin light-sca ttering spectroscopy. For a large wave-vector interval several discrete, di spersionless modes with a frequency splitting of up to 2.5 GHz were observe d. The modes are identified as magnetostatic surface spin waves laterally q uantized due to in-plane confinement in each single dot. The frequencies of the lowest observed modes decrease with increasing distance between the do ts, thus indicating an essential dynamic magnetic dipole interaction betwee n the dots at small interdot distances. (C) 1999 American Institute of Phys ics. [S0003-6951(99)03450-6].