Nanostructuring of GdFeCo Thin Films for Laser Induced Magnetization Switching

L. Le Guyader; S. El Moussaoui; E. Mengotti; L. J. Heyderman; F. Nolting; A. Tsukamoto; A. Itoh; A. Kirilyuk; Th. Rasing; A. V. Kimel

doi:10.3379/msjmag.1108M005

Contributed Paper

Nanostructuring of GdFeCo Thin Films for Laser Induced Magnetization Switching

L. Le Guyader, S. El Moussaoui, E. Mengotti, L. J. Heyderman, F. Nolting, A. Tsukamoto, A. Itoh, A. Kirilyuk, Th. Rasing, A. V. Kimel

Author information

L. Le Guyader
Paul Scherrer Institut
S. El Moussaoui
Paul Scherrer Institut
E. Mengotti
Paul Scherrer Institut
L. J. Heyderman
Paul Scherrer Institut
F. Nolting
Paul Scherrer Institut
A. Tsukamoto
College of Science and Technology, Nihon University
A. Itoh
College of Science and Technology, Nihon University
A. Kirilyuk
Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University
Th. Rasing
Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University
A. V. Kimel
Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University

Keywords: structuring, pattern, magnetization, laser, peem, xmcd, ferrimagnet, lithography, anisotropy, rare earth

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2012 Volume 36 Issue 1_2 Pages 21-23

DOI https://doi.org/10.3379/msjmag.1108M005

View "Advance Publication" version (October 11, 2011).

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Abstract

The effect of structuring GdFeCo thin films has been investigated in view of laser induced magnetic recording applications. It is found that patterning the substrate via electron beam lithography combined with reactive ion etching before the actual magnetic layer deposition can produce a significant magnetic de-coupling between the obtained structures and their immediate magnetic surrounding. However, upon laser heating, dipolar coupling with this surrounding is found to determine completely the magnetization orientation of the structures, a situation which could be problematic for laser induced recording applications. An alternative structuring approach, based on a lift-off technique of the magnetic layer, is immune to this problem since no magnetic surrounding remains.

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