Three-dimensional magnetic flux-closure domain patterns in MnAs thin films on GaAs(001)

R. Engel-Herbert, T. Hesjedal, D. M. Schaadt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The magnetic microstructure of single-crystalline MnAs films on GaAs(001) has been investigated. Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) reveals a three-dimensional magnetization pattern that is in disagreement with the simple domain picture observed by surface-sensitive magnetic imaging. Here, we present a consistent micromagnetic picture of MnAs thin films in the ferromagnetic stripe phase, which appears in the course of the phase transition. A number of equilibrium magnetization patterns of the stripes are found that are, in fact, based on flux-closure domain patterns in the basal plane of MnAs. The simulation of a stripe array yields excellent agreement with the measured surface magnetization. The experimentally observed stray field contrast was confirmed by MFM contrast simulations based on these equilibrium magnetization patterns.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number09K103
JournalJournal of Applied Physics
Volume101
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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