Thermal evolution of low-temperature magnetic texture modulation in fept thin films by direct visualization

Abstract

Patterns of ferroic domains and domain walls are being intensively studied to implement new logic schemes. Any technological application of such objects depends on a detailed understanding of them. Using low-temperature magnetic force measurements (10–300 K), the evolution of ferromagnetic stripes on equiatomic FePt thin films is thoroughly analyzed. Since FePt is known to develop a transition from in-plane homogeneous magnetization to stripe domains upon varying its thickness, multiple samples are studied demonstrating the well-established reduction upon thickness decrease and a non-trivial dependence on temperature. Moreover, the room-temperature uniform distribution of the pattern evolves into a distorted one upon temperature cycling. Finally, dissimilar stripe patterns are obtained upon reducing and increasing temperature indicating the states are dependent on the history of applied stimuli rather than the parametric conditions.