Morphology and domain wall propagation in Au/Co/Au deposited on different substrates

Abstract

We present a study of the substrate influence on the buffer layer morphology, on the static magnetic properties and especially on the magnetization reversal dynamics in 1nm thick cobalt layer of Au/Co/Au system. In all films the cobalt layer exhibits perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The magnetization reversal process has been investigated by polar magnetooptic Kerr effect (PMOKE). It was found that magnetization reverses by domain wall propagation. A simplified form of the Fatuzzo–Labrune model was used to interpret the magnetization reversal. Correlation between magnetic and morphologic results is discussed.