Micromagnetic study of lithographically defined non-magnetic periodic nanostructures in magnetic thin films

A micromagnetic study of non-magnetic periodic structures in magnetic thin films has been carried our. Periodic arrays of non-magnetic squares and rec tangles are pointed out as the most appropriate systems for engineering hys teresis properties and ultra-high density storage applications. Non-magneti c structures with size ranging from 2l(ex) to 10l(ex) have been studied, l( ex) being: the exchange length of the magnetic material. Variations in the coercivity of two orders of magnitude are found for some rectangle arrays d epending on the direction of the applied field. Remanent states adequate fo r magnetic storage in rectangular bits for a theoretical alloy with l(ex)/d elta = 0.5 (delta = wall width parameter) have been found to record areal d ensities in the order of 750 Gbits/in(2). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.