Direct real-space observation of stochastic behavior in domain nucleation process on a nanoscale

Stochastic behavior of nucleation process during magnetization reversal on a nanoscale in a nanogranular CoCrPt alloy film is directly observed utilizing magnetic soft X-ray transmission microscopy, which provides a spatial resolution of 15 nm. Thermal fluctuations in the orientation of the magnetic moments of the grains play a dominant role for the stochastic nature of domain nucleation in this system.