Vortex domain wall chirality rectification due to the interaction with end domain spin structures in permalloy nanowires

The interaction of vortex domain walls with the end domain spin structure present at the rectangular end of a ferromagnetic nanowire is investigated using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. When vortex walls are moved with short field pulses towards the wire end an end vortex is formed, whose chirality is independent of the original vortex wall chirality but is determined by the spin configuration of the end domain. This acts as a domain wall chirality rectifier, which could be useful for applications based on domain walls. The observed chirality transformations are reproduced by micromagnetic simulations showing a complex reversal mechanism. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3275576]