Magnetic Domain Images of Nanometer Size Magnetic Features

Magnetic domain images of nanometer size magnetic features are obtained using MFM with low magnetic stray field and high-coercivity MFM tips. The high-resolution MFM images show details in the domain structure of thin film permalloy elements. The "ripple" structures are observed in the elliptical and round samples connecting the vertex and the edge. This effect is due to the edge roughness and obtained by micromagnetic simulations as well. The domain structure in rectangular and elliptical thin-film elements is observed by MFM method and their variation can be attributed to the different aspect ratio of the elements and different initial conditions. Micromagnetic simulations reproduced many features observed experimentally.