Micromagnetic study of Bloch-point-mediated vortex core reversal

Abstract

We study how micromagnetic calculations can be applied to processes that involve a singularity of the magnetization field, namely, the Bloch point. In order to allow for comparison with recent experiments, we consider Permalloy thin-film disks supporting a vortex magnetic configuration. The structure of the Bloch point at rest in the middle of the core of the vortex is studied first, comparing the evolution of the calculation results under decreasing mesh size to analytical results. The reversal of the core of the vortex under a field applied perpendicularly to the disk plane is then investigated. We apply two different procedures to evaluate switching fields and processes: direct micromagnetic time-dependent calculation, and the evaluation of the energy barrier that separates the two orientations of the vortex core in the configuration space, using a path method. Both methods show the occurrence of Bloch points during reversal. Special attention is paid to the extrapolation towards zero mesh size of the numerical results. The calculations are confronted to experimental values from Okuno et al. [J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 240, 1 (2002)]. We conclude that defects and thermal agitation are likely to assist Bloch-point injection, hence lowering the switching fields.