Switching of magnetic vortex core in a Pac-man disk using a single field pulse

Abstract

We report on the switching of the magnetic vortex core in a Pac-man disk using a magnetic field pulse, investigated via micromagnetic simulations. The minimum core switching field is reduced by 72% compared with that of a circular disk with the same diameter and thickness. However, the core switches irregularly with respect to both the field pulse amplitude and duration. This irregularity is induced by magnetization oscillations that arise owing to the excitation of spin waves when the core annihilates. We show that the core switching can be controlled with the assist magnetic field and by changing the waveform.