Neutron reflectivity study of a magnetic dot array

Polarized neutron reflectometry with neutron spin analysis is used to inves tigate the magnetic properties of a large array of ferromagnetic Co dots wi th in-plane magnetization. The diffuse neutron reflectivity contains resona nt intensity peaks due to the lateral periodicity of the dot array. Using p olarized neutrons, the intensity of the resonant peak in the diffuse neutro n reflectivity is monitored as a function of an external magnetic field app lied in the sample plane. Spin analysis of the reflected neutrons reveals t he magnetization reversal and saturation within the dots. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.