Magnetization Reversal Across Multiple Serial Barriers in a Single Fe${}_3$O${}_4$ Nanoparticle

Abstract

Depinning of nanoscale magnetic textures, such as domain walls, vortices and skyrmions, is of paramount importance for magnetic storage and information processing. We measure time-resolved magnetic switching statistics of an individual, non-single-domain Fe${}_3$O${}_4$ nanoparticle using a micrometer-scale superconducting quantum interference device. Surprisingly, a strong narrowing of the waiting-time distributions before reaching the final state is observed as compared to the exponential distribution expected for a single barrier. The magnetization reversal across the nanostructure is thus shown to result from multiple serial barriers in the minimum energy pathway.

5 pages and suppl information available on request

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