Vortex-type domain structure in Co-rich amorphous wires

Investigation of the surface magnetic domain structure has been performed in Co-rich, nearly zero magnetostrictive, amorphous wires using magneto-optical Kerr effect magnetometry and microscopy. The formation and motion of a multidomain vortex-type structure with curved domain walls have been observed in amorphous wires. The possible origins of the existence of the vortex-type structures in these amorphous wires are discussed. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics