Negative dissipation gradients in hysteretic materials

Measuring energy dissipation on the nanoscale is of great interest not only for nanomechanics but also to understand important energy transformation and loss mechanisms that determine the efficiency of energy of data storage devices. Fully understanding the magnetic dynamics and dissipation processes in nanomagnets is of major relevance for a number of basic and applied issues from magnetic recording to spin-based sensor devices to biomedical magnetic-based hyperthermia treatments. Here we present experimental evidence for a counter-intuitive monotonical reduction of energy dissipation as the interaction between two nanomagnets is enhanced. This behavior, which takes place when spins are parallel, can be understood in terms of hysteresis phenomena involved in the reorientation of these spins. The measured magnetic losses of about a few femtowatts are in agreement with quasi-static micromagnetic numerical simulations.