Magnetization reversal of microstructured kagome lattices

We report on a magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) investigation of microstructured rectangular islands, which have been arranged on kagome lattices. The magnetization reversal was studied by regular longitudinal vector MOKE in specular geometry as well as in Bragg MOKE geometry, using the diffraction spots from the grating for hysteresis measurements. The magnetization at remanence is imaged by using magnetic force microscopy and x-ray photoemission electron microscopy. The measurements have been compared to the results of micromagnetic simulations, which allow a detailed interpretation of the experimental data. It is demonstrated that the magnetization reversal process in an external magnetic field strongly depends on the shape and the interparticle spacing between the islands. For the thorough understanding of the nontrivial dependence of magnetization reversal on the array geometry, the magnetic moments of the islands and the energy barriers for magnetization switching in individual elements have been theoretically analyzed. The performed analysis provides insight into the magnetostatic interactions and probability of switching paths taken by the particles arranged on lattices with kagome symmetry during the magnetization reversal process.