Pulsed-field and heat-assisted magnetization switching behaviour in elongated sub-micrometer Permalloy structures

The effects on switching behaviour of pulsed magnetic fields and heating applied locally to the ends of magnetic nanostructures were studied. Five nanometer thick planar Permalloy nanowires were fabricated with widths ranging from 800 to 200 nm with an aluminium strip conductor located over one end of the nanostructures. Localised pulsed field switching was sensitive to both pulsed field amplitude and duration, consistent with thermally activated reversal. Locally heated nanowires show reduced switching field with increased temperature with the magnitude of the chan c independent of the wire width. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.