Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Mamiak MO-144 W95) 389-390

ELSEVIER

Magnetizationof singlemagneticparti
W. Wemsdorfer %** , K. Hasselbach a, D. Mailly , B. Barbara , A.
L. Thomas b, 6. Suran d
a CRTBT-CNRS, BP 166X, 38042 Grenoble, Frame
b LLNEEL-CNRS, BP 166X, 38042 Grenoble, France
LMM-CNRS, 1% Au. H. Ruvera, 92220 Bugnem, France
d LMMM-CNRS, I PI. Aristidk Briatd, 92195 Merdon, France

Abstract
We present the first magnetization measurements of single suhmicron (Co, CoZr, Ni) particles. As a d&e
microbridge-d&QUID
deposited onto or next to the sample. Sample and detector are patterned by e
lithography. The dynamics and the temperature dependence of the magnetization reversal are studied.

Magnetization of small magnetic particles is of both

fundamental and technical interest. The fundamental aspect
is apparent when the quantum limit is attained (e.g. macroscopic quantum tunneling) the more applied aspect concerns the magnetization reversal mechanisms and the role
of thermal activation. But up to date most magnetic measurements are dedicated to macroscopic samples. The local
probes, e.g. optical Kerr-effect microscopy,
AFM and
other nearfield techniques have not yet a very high resolution of the amplitude of magnetization and/or are only
operational at room temperature. Nanostructured magnetic
samples were studied at low temperature only in the form
c f arrays of particles.
We are interested in magnetization measurements of
one, well-defined, single-domain sub-micron size sample
in order to access the dynamics and statistics of its magnetization. Our approach consists in the use of a microbridge-d&QUID
(of 2-0.5 Frn diameter) deposited onto
or next to the sample. Due to the close proximity of the
sample and SQUlD we have a very efficient and direct
flux coupling [Il. The SQUIDS are made of Nb or Al,
allowing measurements in a temperature range up to 6 or
0.8 K, respectively. We can apply in-plane magnetic fields
as high as 5 l&e. Under these conditions we can detect
magnetization reversals corresponding to 10+4-10+5 spins
(depending on the applied field). Furthermore the time
resolution (lOtI ps) allotis us to study Ihe dynamics. The
smallest single particles measured until now were Co
particles of 100 nm length, 50 nm width and 5 nm height.

* Corresponding author. Fax: +33 76 875Q60; emaik wems

dor@fabs.polyms-gre&

Fig. 1. Hysteresis loop of type A: Co. Ni

thickness 30 am, eliptkity 0.2 X Q-1 pm, T = 0.2 K.

0304-8853/95/$09.50 6 1995 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

SSDI 0304-8853(94)01509-O

580

1175

i1
1165
C

4 T(K)

'

Fig. 4. The upper and lower switching fields of the minor cycle
shown in Fig. 3. Tbe width of the measured switching field
distribution is presented as error bars.

wall movesbetweenand

C: Co particle, tbiclmess 50 nm,

K

Besides,we have studiedthe coercivefield H, associated with magnetizationjumps in major or minor hysteresis loops. For eachtemperature,the sampleis cycled with
a constantsweepingrate between200 and 1000 times in
the field region of interest.In general, the width of the
measuredswitching field distributions of I, rangesbetween0.1% and 5% of the switchingfield amplitude.
We present here the study of the dynamics of the
magnetisationreversalfor the minor cycle of the sample
shown in Fig. 3. and present fZ,- fmin and its width
presentedby error bars, as a function of temperature(Fig.
4). We observetwo striking points: (i) a discontinuityin
the temperaturedependenceof H,, different for the upper
and !ower switchingfield, and (ii) a splitting of the lower
switchingfield at low temperatures.The temperatureof the
break in the dope dependson the material: Co particles
presentthis breakbetween0.5 and 1 K but Ni particlesdo
not show this break. We explain the splitting of the
switching field as induced by a finite number of low
temperaturestatesof the local magnetizationconfiguration,
becomingenergeticallywell distinct at very low temperatures.The different temperaturedependenceof H,, and
is not surprising,becausethey are associatedwith
HCIIMX
completelydifferent initial states.
We have shownthe first studyof the dynamicalbehavior of about lo6 spins in a single particle of about IO8
spins. Being only at its beginning our new techniqueis
very promising and we are confidentthat it will be possible to increasethe sensitivity by two to three orders of
magnitude(shunted SQUIDS),by high resolution e-beam
lithography it will becomepossibleto reducesampleand
sensordimensions,and with adaptedelectronicswe will be
able to foollowmagnetizationchangesat 1 MHz rate.It will
than be possibleto infer from the obtained resultsunambiguousconclusionsconcerningquantumphenomenain a
single magneticparticle.
[l] C. chapel& A. Benoit and D. Mailly, Phys. Rev. Lett. 70
(1993) 2020.
121 E. Stoner and E. Wohlfarth, Philos. Trans. L.on. Ser. A 240
m48) 599.