Magnetic domain patterns in an asymmetric zigzag permalloy nanowire

Zigzag nanowires are potential candidates to study the shape dependence of nanoscale magnetic properties. Zigzag nanowires of modulated widths were studied at remanence by magnetic force microscopy, showing unique arrangements of magnetic domains. The alignment of magnetic moments changes with the orientation of the external field when applied along different sections of the nanowire and gives rise to different domain arrangements. The modulated widths of the nanowire sections define the directions for the magnetic moments to rearrange after the field is removed. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.