Stress-induced remagnetization in magnetostrictive films

Strictly stress-induced magnetization reversal in magnetostrictive Co50Fe50/Co80B20 multilayers was studied by magneto-optical Kerr microscopy. The remagnetization takes place by rotational processes in externally applied stress in the absence of magnetic fields. Multiple small-angle domains develop at low magnetic anisotropy. Cross-tie and “fir-tree”-like domain structures appear. Magnetoelastic energy contributions in the substrate–film structure are responsible for the low-angle domain wall patterns. Additional effects from the crystalline nature of the films are discussed.