Classification of super domains and super domain walls in permalloy antidot lattices

TL;DR

This study investigates how lattice parameters influence the formation and structure of super domains and super domain walls in permalloy antidot lattices, combining experimental magnetic force microscopy with micromagnetic simulations.

Contribution

It provides a detailed classification of super domain walls in permalloy antidot lattices based on lattice parameters and energy considerations, revealing two distinct SDW types.

Findings

Two types of super domain walls identified: low-energy linear and high-energy kink SDWs.

The structure and occurrence of SDWs depend on antidot diameter, spacing, and lattice aspect ratio.

Micromagnetic simulations support experimental observations and classification.

Abstract

We study the remanent domain configurations of rectangular permalloy antidot lattices over a range of lattice parameters. The influence of antidot diameter, antidot spacing, and the aspect ratio of the lattice on the remanent domain configuration are investigated by magnetic force microscopy and supported by micromagnetic simulations. In the remanent state, areas of cells with the same orientation of average magnetization form magnetic super domains separated by super domain walls (SDWs). Two types of SDWs are identified. The first type is characterized by low stray field energy, is linear, and expands over many lattice constants. In contrast the second type shows high stray field energy and is situated at kinks of low energy SDWs. Its width can vary from a minimum of two lattice cells up to several lattice constants, depending on the lattice parameters. The occurrence and structure of these two types of SDWs as function of lattice parameters are classified and discussed in terms of the interplay of stray field and exchange energy.