Micromagnetic investigations of mesoscopic magnetic rings via magnetic force and magnetoresistive microscopy

Abstract

We have examined the magnetic and structural behavior of micron-size cobalt rings using magnetic force microscopy (MFM), scanning magnetoresistance microscopy (SMRM) with an external applied field, and micromagnetic simulations. In addition, we have studied physical changes in the films occurring during thermal annealing using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Finally, micromagnetic simulations have been utilized to assist in understanding of the experimental results. We will compare results obtained from each magnetic imaging method and discuss their relative strengths and weaknesses. We believe that the combination of several characterization techniques aids the overall understanding of the micromagnetic behavior.