Vortex and double-vortex nucleation during magnetization reversal in Fe nanodots of different dimensions

Magnetic nanodots are of high technological importance in diverse storage and spintronics applications, especially in bit patterned media. Magnetization reversal in such nanodots typically occurs either by coherent rotation of the magnetization or along a vortex state. Other mechanisms of magnetization reversal are scarcely described in the literature. Understanding and predicting the magnetization reversal processes, however, is of utmost importance due to the varying stray fields in the different states under evolution, influencing neighboring nanodots in an array or matrix-like structure. Besides, the stability of vortex states against magnetic field changes – which corresponds to typically broad field ranges with reversible modifications of the magnetic state – influences the robustness of magnetically stored information as well as the necessary external fields for writing new information. Here we report on micromagnetic simulations on nanodots with 10 different, representative diameters and 10 dot thicknesses, respectively, giving rise to 8 possible magnetization reversal processes and suggesting the preconditions for the nucleation and propagation of one or two vortices in cylindrical iron disks. We show the impact of the dimensions and aspect ratios on all phases of magnetization reversal. This study results in a phase diagram of the different magnetization reversal processes.