In addition to the experiments, micromagnetic simulations of the spin dynamics are also being performed by our working group. They permit a detailed insight into fast switching processes. Investigation of the switching behavior of thin Permalloy platelets, excited by external magnetic field, is of special interest.
New concepts for magnetic storage are being investigated in this context. Square-shaped platelets exhibit as equilibrium state the so-called Landau pattern with a vortex in the central area of the element. In the vortex core the magnetization rotates in an area of approximately 20 nanometers perpendicular to the plane. The magnetization of the vortex core can be switched by suitable external magnetic fields from the orientation “up“ to “down“ and vice versa. Thus the polarity of the tiny vortex cores could be used as a memory cell for an information bit.