摘要
Magnetic single-domain islands based on in-plane anisotropy （usually, shape anisotropy） and their dipole-dipole interactions have been investigated extensively in recent years. This has been driven by potential applications in magnetic recording, spintronics, magneto-biology, etc. Here, we propose a concept of out- of-plane magnetic dusters with configurable domain structures （multi-flux states） via dipole-dipole interactions. Their flux stages can be switched through an external magnetic field. The concept has been successfully demonstrated by patterned [Co/Pd] islands. A [Co/Pd] multilayer exhibits a large perpendicular anisotropy, a strong physical separation, and uniform intrinsic properties after being patterned into individual islands by electron beam lithography. A three- island cluster with six stable flux states has been realized by optimizing island size, thickness, gap, anisotropy, saturation magnetization, etc. Using [Co/Pd] multilayers, we have optimized the island structure by tuning magnetic properties （saturation magnetization and perpendicular anisotropy） using Landau-Liftshitz- Gilbert （LLG） simulation/calculation. Potential applications have been proposed, including a flexi-programmable logic device with AND, OR, NAND, and NOR functionalities and a magnetic domino, which can propagate magnetic current as far as 1 μm down from the surface via vertical dipole-dipole interactions.
