Abstract
Magnetic domain configurations of microstructured permalloy exchange coupled by an antiferromagnetic (NiO) thin film is presented. NiO/NiFe bilayer micrometer array elements were fabricated using electron beam lithography through a lift-off technique. The magnetic force microscopy images of the elliptical and rectangular elements with various aspect ratios showed dipole-like magnetic domain structures. The bright/dark arc contrast associated with the magnetic pole strength was dependent on the anisotropic exchange field. Furthermore, the shape anisotropy can overwhelm anisotropic exchange in patterned elements with a high aspect ratio and thicker permalloy film. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.