Magnetic force microscopy investigation of the static magnetic domain structure and domain rotation in Fe-x at. %Ga alloys

Magnetic domain structures and domain rotation process in Fe-x at. %Ga (x=12, 19, and 25) alloys have been studied by magnetic force microscopy. Our results show that the missing connection between magnetic domains and the underlying microstructure [Xing and Lograsso, Appl. Phys. Lett. 93, 182501 (2008)] is (i) a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; and (ii) domain irregularities/fluctuations induced by a quenched random-field condition: both of which may have direct relations with dispersed low-symmetry nanoprecipitates [Cao, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 127201 (2009)]. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3238062]