Magnetization Reversal of Disorder Induced Ferromagnetic Regions in Fe60Al40 Thin Films

Magnetization reversal processes were investigated in iron-aluminum (Fe60Al40) alloy films of 40 nm thickness by employing magnetometry and magnetic domain imaging using magneto-optical longitudinal and polar effects. The films were initially chemically ordered and weakly ferromagnetic, and a large increase in the saturation magnetization was induced due to disorder magnetization induced by Ne+-ion irradiation. Three different sample geometries were investigated; a) continuous film; b) homogenously irradiated wire; and c) magnetic stripe-patterned wire. Specific magnetization reversal mechanism were identified for the different sample geometries.