Magnetic-force microscopy of thin Bi:IG films for thermomagnetic recording

Abstract

Thermomagnetic recording on thin films is currently one of the most promising methods for copying records with high density and weak magnetization. These films can be characterized by a couple of parameters very suitable for recording reconfigurable magnetic atomic traps whose geometry is visible. Different types of materials are investigated to be the most effective for thermomagnetic recording propose. In this paper authors showed possibility and features of thermomagnetic recording on Bi:IG thin films. High coercivity thin films with low Curie temperature and different film-lattice mismatch parameters were synthesized. Thermomagnetic recording of magnetic disc was performed. Features of magnetic records were investigated and influence of film-lattice mismatch parameters on meta-stable domain structure that defines the thermomagnetic recording resolution was showed. Magnetic-force microscopy was used for topography and magnetic structure characterization of thin films with different film-lattice mismatch parameters. Some features of films morphology were investigated using atomic-force microscopy with sharp AFM probe.