Thermal activation on microwave-assisted magnetization switching in Co/Pt nanodot arrays

Abstract

Abstract The magnetization switching field is efficiently reduced by exciting precession with a microwave field of GHz frequency. Analytical calculations based on the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation have revealed that the effect of the thermal activation process plays an important role in magnetization switching behavior under a microwave field. In this study, we experimentally investigated the microwave-assisted magnetization switching (MAS) behavior of Co/Pt nanodot arrays under various microwave field conditions. Experimental results were compared with the calculated effective energy barrier height of MAS. Consequently, all the experimental MAS behaviors can be explained by the effect of thermal activation, but quantitative discussion will require accurate experimental studies.