From Bloch to Néel: Anisotropy-dependent Domain-Wall Character in FePd Thin Films

Abstract

We report an experimental investigation of the depth-dependent domain wall formation in L1₀-FePd thin films with high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Using circular dichroism X-ray resonant magnetic scattering (CD-XRMS) as a function of the incident X-ray angle, we explore the depth evolution of chiral spin textures in two samples with different strengths of magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Combined with CD-STXM, CD-ptychography, and macroscopic characterization of the structural order, magnetic properties, and surface morphology, we relate these observations to differences in the long-range order of the L1₀ phase of FePd. One FePd thin film with very high magnetocrystalline anisotropy, characterized by Q_PMA=1.8, exhibits an unexpectedly large Néel contribution. Angular-dependent CD-XRMS directly reveals a smooth transition from a hybrid Bloch-Néel chirality within the upper FePd layer towards a purely Néel-type structure at the lower FePd interface. In the second FePd sample, despite a still relatively large Q_PMA=1.45, the domain walls were found to be purely Néel type. These results indicate a crucial role of the long-range structural order in determining the formation of the magnetic structure.

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BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@misc{stellhorn2026from,
  title = {{From Bloch to Néel: Anisotropy-dependent Domain-Wall Character in FePd Thin Films}},
  author = {Annika Stellhorn and Alicia Backs and Ekaterina Klyushina and Connie Bednarski-Meinke and Steffen Tober and Denis Vasiukov and Oskar Stepančić and Vítor Alexandre de Oliveira Lima and Lukas Aniansson and Paul Steadman and Manuel Valvidares and Jörg Schwenke and Claudiu Bulbucan and Elizabeth Blackburn},
  howpublished = {arXiv},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2607.02256},
  eprint = {2607.02256},
  archivePrefix = {arXiv},
  url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.02256},
}

RIS

TY  - UNPB
TI  - From Bloch to Néel: Anisotropy-dependent Domain-Wall Character in FePd Thin Films
AU  - Annika Stellhorn
AU  - Alicia Backs
AU  - Ekaterina Klyushina
AU  - Connie Bednarski-Meinke
AU  - Steffen Tober
AU  - Denis Vasiukov
AU  - Oskar Stepančić
AU  - Vítor Alexandre de Oliveira Lima
AU  - Lukas Aniansson
AU  - Paul Steadman
AU  - Manuel Valvidares
AU  - Jörg Schwenke
AU  - Claudiu Bulbucan
AU  - Elizabeth Blackburn
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/30
PB  - arXiv
DO  - 10.48550/arxiv.2607.02256
UR  - https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.02256
AB  - We report an experimental investigation of the depth-dependent domain wall formation in L1_0-FePd thin films with high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Using circular dichroism X-ray resonant magnetic scattering (CD-XRMS) as a function of the incident X-ray angle, we explore the depth evolution of chiral spin textures in two samples with different strengths of magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Combined with CD-STXM, CD-ptychography, and macroscopic characterization of the structural order, magnetic properties, and surface morphology, we relate these observations to differences in the long-range order of the L1_0 phase of FePd. One FePd thin film with very high magnetocrystalline anisotropy, characterized by Q_PMA=1.8, exhibits an unexpectedly large Néel contribution. Angular-dependent CD-XRMS directly reveals a smooth transition from a hybrid Bloch-Néel chirality within the upper FePd layer towards a purely Néel-type structure at the lower FePd interface. In the second FePd sample, despite a still relatively large Q_PMA=1.45, the domain walls were found to be purely Néel type. These results indicate a crucial role of the long-range structural order in determining the formation of the magnetic structure.
ER  -

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