Magnetization Reversal Behaviour of Planar Nanowire Arrays of Fe

Systematic investigations of magnetization behavior performed on planar arrays of 30 nm wide Fe-nanowires (NW) fabricated on oxidized step-bunched Si (111) templates reveal that the NW arrays exhibit an uniaxial anisotropy dominated by the shape of the wires, that facilitates in retaining the magnetization in-plane with easy axis parallel to the wires. The NWs possess polycrystalline character with bcc-crystal structure, and present an oxidized interface when capped with MgO. From the temperature dependent magnetization studies we find that for thick wires (>4.5 nm) the magnetization reversal is governed by the curling reversal mode. Whereas, for thin wires the reversal is dominated by thermal activation.