Inducing Vortex Formation In Multilayered Circular Dots Using Remanent Curves

We report field manipulation of magnetic vortex states in Co(30 nm)/Cu(3 nm)/Ni80Fe20 (20 nm)-multilayer dot arrays via remanent curve. The element-resolved resonant x-ray magnetic measurements, combined with micromagnetic simulations, show vortex formation in the Co layer but not in the NiFe layer along the major hysteresis loop. Although the two magnetic layers are not directly coupled due to the presence of the Cu interlayer, the NiFe layer is strongly influenced by the dipolar field from uncompensated magnetic poles in the Co layer. Using remanent curves, we demonstrate that the single vortex state can be induced simultaneously in both layers. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4766347]