Switching Behavior in Ferromagnetic Nanorings

Abstract

Magnetic nanorings have unique closed-flux vortex states that exhibit no stray field. The chirality of the vortex can be used to represent a "1" or a "0" in magnetic bits for data storage purposes. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to gather topographical information and Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) to image magnetic states of asymmetric Cobalt nanorings. Eventually we seek to control the chirality of these rings by passing current through their centers, which can also be done using the AFM. The aim of this research is to study the switching behaviors of magnetic nanorings and to prototype consistent methods of controlling the magnetic states of these rings to facilitate the possible creation of a new high density magnetic storage system.