Direct observation of the controlled magnetization reversal processes in Py/Al/Py asymmetric ring stacks

Electron holographic experiments were performed to study the magnetization reversal process of patterned Py/Al/Py (20nm/20nm/10nm) asymmetric ring stacks. By changing the in-plane field applied perpendicular to the ring's symmetric axis, we directly observed the vortex-based magnetization reversal process through controlled domain wall motion and annihilation. The two magnetic layers were found to switch at different critical fields, leading to the existence of various distinct domain state combinations. Quantitative agreement was obtained between measured phase shifts and those derived from micromagnetic calculations, which allows us to resolve the layer-by-layer magnetic behavior as a function of applied external field.