The magnetic properties of a trilayer system involving two ferromagnetic disks separated by a nonmagnetic spacer differ from those of isolated dots due to the magnetostatic and interlayer exchange coupling across the spacer. The reversal process for this system has been investigated experimentally, analytically and numerically for permalloy $\left({\mathrm{Ni}}_{80}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{20}\right)$ dots with thicknesses of up to $40\mathrm{nm}$ and radii of $0.25–1.25\mu \mathrm{m}$ separated by a Cu spacer up to $45\mathrm{nm}$ thick. Hysteresis measurements and photoemission electron microscopy images of the remanent states show evidence of the vortex remanent state and reversal, respectively. Single and multidomain states, however, can be stabilized through flux closure between layers resulting in a reduction of the phase space occupied by the vortex state. Micromagnetic simulations indicate that the disks will each support oppositely directed vortices at remanence that reverse through coordinated nucleation, displacement and annihilation of vortices in the two layers. Experimental and numerical magnetic susceptibilities are in agreement with analytical calculations based on the rigid vortex model.

• Received 7 February 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.72.134415