Controlling the magnetization reversal in exchange-biased Co/CoO elongated nanorings

Abstract

We report on the control of magnetization reversal in exchange-biased Co/CoO nanorings resulting from the competition between field-cooling-induced unidirectional anisotropy at the Co/CoO interface and shape anisotropy of the elongated Co nanorings. We observed that the magnetization reversal mechanisms and magnitudes of exchange bias fields are strongly dependent on the strength and orientation of the cooling field relative to the major axis of the nanorings. Our results demonstrate a convenient technique to control the magnetization reversal modes in ferromagnetic nanorings. © IOP Publishing Ltd.