Experimental analysis of the fast magnetization dynamics in high perpendicular anisotropy Co/Pt nanostructures

Abstract We present preliminary results for magnetization dynamics in high perpendicular anisotropy Co/Pt cross-shaped nanostructures submitted to a single/train out-of-plane field pulses. For this, a fabrication process has been developed to obtain high-quality microwave test structures. Using extraordinary Hall effect, we measure quasistatic hysteresis loops while applying either a single or a train of field pulses of given amplitude (32 mT at maximum), variable duration (0.2–10 ns) and repetition frequency (1–100 kHz). We get that field pulses affect only one side of the hysteresis loops without any clear change in the squareness of the loop. Such behavior can be most probably attributed to pulse-induced nucleation of reverse domains in the cross area. The measured shift in coercive field decreases linearly with the logarithm of the pulse duration and two switching regimes that get connected for pulse duration around 1 ns have been observed. Switching probability with single pulse showed that field pulse of 10 ns and 32 mT of magnitude has the same effect of 2 mT static fields.