Computational and experimental micromagnetics of arrays of 2-D platelets

2-D regular nanoelements are of interest as micromagnetic model systems and in a number of sensor applications. In this paper we concentrate on a rece nt development in the form of experimental structures of arrays of small na noelements which are 300 nm long and between 50-80 nm wide in small arrays which are amenable to computational studies. A direct comparison of theoret ical and experimental hgsteresis loops gives good quantitative agreement an d suggests that both interactions and variations in intrinsic properties co ntribute significantly to the width of the loops. The experimental samples were produced by electron beam lithography and consisted of either a 6 X 3 array or a 6 element row. The intra-row spacing was 50 nm or 80 nm and the inter-row spacing was 100 nm, Magnetic images were obtained by Lorentz micr oscopy, from which the magnetization curves were determined. Computational studies were carried out using a finite element method with magnetostatic f ield calculations via the maximization of the scalar potential. The techniq ue is computationally efficient and allows the calculation of the propertie s of interacting elements.