Evolution of magnetic properties and domain structures in Co/Ni multilayers

Co/Ni multilayers with different layer thicknesses and repetition numbers were fabricated by magnetron sputtering. The films with appropriate Co and Ni layer thicknesses show strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The results of magnetic force microscopy indicate that the films show a maze domain in the demagnetization state and that the domain width decreases with increasing layer thickness and repetition number. The magnetostatic and domain wall energies of the film stack were calculated on the basis of an irregular maze domain pattern. The results suggest that the magnetostatic energy is the main reason for the variation of the domain width in Co/Ni multilayers. (C) 2016 The Japan Society of Applied Physics