Control of domain structures and magnetotransport properties in patterned ferromagnetic wires

Observations of controlled domain structures in zigzag patterned cobalt wir es are demonstrated. Distinct domain structures are accessible by changing the orientation of magnetic field using the zigzag geometry, which provides a prospective potential to design the desired magnetic structures. Utilizi ng the subtle technique, we further throw light on the issue of magnetoresi stance induced by the different domain structures. It is found that a negat ive contribution to the resistance is due to the spin configuration around the corner of the zigzag wires and shows an anomalous maximum around 100 K. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)02205-1].