Classification of super domains and super domain walls in permalloy antidot lattices

We study the remanent domain configurations of rectangular permalloy antidot lattices over a range of lattice parameters. The influence of antidot diameter, antidot spacing, and aspect ratio of the lattice on the remanent domain configuration are investigated by magnetic force microscopy and supported by micromagnetic simulations. In the remanent state, areas of cells with the same orientation of average magnetization form magnetic super domains separated by super domain walls (SDWs). Two types of SDWs are identified. The first type is characterized by low stray field energy, is linear, and expands over many lattice constants. In contrast, the second type shows high stray field energy and is situated at kinks of low energy SDWs. Its width can vary from a minimum of two lattice cells up to several lattice constants, depending on the lattice parameters. The occurrence and structure of these two types of SDWs as functions of lattice parameters are classified and discussed in terms of the interplay of stray field and exchange energy.