Magneto-optical imaging of elastic strain-controlled magnetization reorientation

We study strain-controlled magnetization-reorientation processes in nickel thin film/piezoelectric actuator hybrid structures. To obtain a consistent picture of the connection between magnetic microstructure and magnetoresistance, we correlate simultaneously measured spatially resolved magneto-optic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe European physical journal. B, Condensed matter physics Vol. 85; no. 4
Main Authors Brandlmaier, A., Brasse, M., Geprägs, S., Weiler, M., Gross, R., Goennenwein, S. T. B.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.04.2012
EDP Sciences
Springer
Subjects
Actuators
Complex Systems
Condensed Matter Physics
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Exact sciences and technology
Fluid- and Aerodynamics
Interfacial magnetic properties (multilayers, magnetic quantum wells, superlattices, magnetic heterostructures)
Magnetic fields
Magnetic properties and materials
Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers
Magnetization
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Regular Article
Solid State Physics
Solid State and Materials
Actuators
Magnetization
Magnetic field effects
Ferromagnetic materials
Optical imaging
Solid-solid interfaces
Elastic deformation
Thin films
Piezoelectric materials
Domain structure
Magnetic domains
Coercive force
Nickel
Magnetoresistance
Microstructure
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Summary:We study strain-controlled magnetization-reorientation processes in nickel thin film/piezoelectric actuator hybrid structures. To obtain a consistent picture of the connection between magnetic microstructure and magnetoresistance, we correlate simultaneously measured spatially resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect imaging and integral magnetotransport measurements at room temperature. Our results show that the magnetization predominantly reorients by coherent rotation as a function of the voltage applied to the hybrid, except for a narrow region around the coercive field for which the magnetization reorientation evolves via domain effects. This demonstrates that both magnetic-field and strain-driven magnetization reversal can be modeled in terms of a macrospin model.
ISSN:1434-6028
1434-6036
DOI:10.1140/epjb/e2012-20675-4