Asymmetric magnetic bubble expansion under in-plane field in Pt/Co/Pt: Effect of interface engineering

• Published in: Physical review. B, Condensed matter and materials physics Vol. 91; no. 10
• Main Authors: Lavrijsen, R., Hartmann, D. M. F., van den Brink, A., Yin, Y., Barcones, B., Duine, R. A., Verheijen, M. A., Swagten, H. J. M., Koopmans, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 17-03-2015
• Subjects: Asymmetry; Bubbles; Condensed matter; Creep (materials); Deposition; Impact analysis; Magnetic anisotropy; Platinum
• ISSN: 1098-0121; 1550-235X
• DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.91.104414

We analyze the impact of growth conditions on the asymmetric magnetic bubble expansion under an in-plane field in ultrathin Pt/Co/Pt films. Specifically, using sputter deposition, we vary the Ar pressure during the growth of the top Pt layer. This induces a large change in the interfacial structure as evidenced by a factor three change in the effective perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Strikingly, a discrepancy between the current theory for domain-wall propagation based on a simple domain-wall energy density and our experimental results is found. This calls for further theoretical development of domain-wall creep under in-plane fields and varying structural asymmetry.