Magneto-optical Kerr effect characterization of electrodeposited Y-junction magnetic nanostructures

Magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) is used to investigate 1-D arrays of hexagonally arranged Co Y-junction nanostructures embedded in Anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) templates. MOKE in reflection mode clearly distinguishes the magnetic response on the front and back sides of two magnetic samples, i.e., in the form of solid nanowires and as hollow nanotubes. MOKE, being a surface sensitive technique, clearly shows the effect of magnetic interactions and density on magnetization reversal measurements. The experimental measurements complement well with the simulation results using MAGPAR. Simulations suggest the formation of closed vortex state in hollow nanotubes prominently and are found to be consistent with the MOKE measurements. Our approach also clearly shows that it is possible to study and model the exact profile of the Y-shaped nanowires. Their magnetization state is important and will have a significant impact on the overall magnetization as well as the switching behaviour of the nanowires. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.