Magnetization reversal in half-metallic epitaxial CrO_(2) films

摘要

We have investigated the magnetization reversal in thin films of the half-metallic ferromagnet chromium dioxide, CrO_(2), grown on single crystal TiO_(2) (100) and (110) substrates. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated epitaxial growth of CrO_(2) in the rutile crystal structure with the c axis (also the magnetization easy-axis), lying in the plane of the film. Direct, real-time observation of the magnetization reversal revealed that reversal occurs via nucleation of domain walls, and their subsequent motion perpendicular to themselves. The reversed domains are formed when the applied field is close to the coercive field H_(c) of the CrO_(2) film, and the reversal is complete within a small field range, indicating a small dispersion in the film switching field.