Microwave-Assisted Magnetization Reversal in a Perpendicularly Magnetized Film

Microwave-assisted magnetization reversal in a perpendicularly magnetized film was investigated using the anomalous Hall effect. Although the reversal process of the sample in this work was governed by nucleation and domain wall propagation, a large decrease in the reversal field, as much as 75% of the coercive field, was observed when the optimum rf magnetic field was applied. Our results indicate that the microwave-assisted effect promotes nucleation of the reversed domain leading to a reduction of the reversal field in a nucleation-type perpendicularly magnetized system. (C) 2010 The Japan Society of Applied Physics