Magnetic domain reversal in ultrathin Co(001) films probed by giant magnetoresistance measurements

Abstract

The magnetic domain reversal behavior in an ultrathin Co film with in-plane anisotropy that forms part of a spin-valve structure has been investigated by giant magnetoresistance and magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements. We demonstrate that minor loops can be used to obtain detailed information on the field-dependent domain process. 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} domain boundaries are found to be strongly dominant over 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} walls in the demagnetized state, but the magnetization reversal process is controlled by 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} domain-wall motion. The 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} walls are found to undergo multiple jumps mainly due to domain-wall pinning associated with interface roughness.