Interlayer coupling within individual submicron magnetic elements

The interlayer coupling and magnetization reversal of patterned, submicron Co/Au/Ni nanostructures, shaped as diamonds, ellipses, and rectangles, have been investigated using off-axis electron holography and micromagnetic simulations. Antiferromagnetic coupling between the ferromagnetic layers, attributed to the strong Co demagnetization field, was visualized directly. Simulated hysteresis loops overall showed reasonable agreement with the experimental results. Local structural imperfections may be responsible for small discrepancies between the observed magnetization states of the patterned elements and the simulations.