Creation of nanoscale magnetic fields using nano-magnet arrays
In this paper, we present the fabrication of nano-magnet arrays, comprised of two sets of interleaving SmCo 5 and Co nano-magnets, and the subsequent development and implementation of a protocol to program the array to create a one-dimensional rotating magnetic field. We designed the array based on the microstructural and magnetic properties of SmCo 5 films annealed under different conditions, also presented here. Leveraging the extremely high contrast in coercivity between SmCo 5 and Co, we applied a sequence of external magnetic fields to program the nano-magnet arrays into a configuration with alternating polarization, which based on simulations creates a rotating magnetic field in the vicinity of nano-magnets. Our proof-of-concept demonstration shows that complex, nanoscale magnetic fields can be synthesized through coercivity contrast of constituent magnetic materials and carefully designed sequences of programming magnetic fields.