Anisotropy of magnetic domain wall orientation in ultrathin Co grown on Mo(1 1 0) buffer layer

Abstract

The anisotropy of magnetic domain wall orientation as a function of ultrathin Co films thickness deposited on Mo (1 1 0) buffer has been studied by means of the polar Kerr effect in a polarizing microscope. Two types of magnetization reversal process induced by a magnetic field perpendicular to the sample plane, nucleation and propagation, have been observed, depending on Co layer thickness. A thickness-dependent coercivity field was determined from the analysis of the domain wall position during the reversal process. The preferential orientation of magnetic domain walls was found.