Magnetic thermal stability of permalloy microstructures with shape-induced bi-axial anisotropy

We study the thermal stability of the magnetization states in permalloy microstructures in the form of two crossing elongated ellipses, a shape which yields effective bi-axial magnetic anisotropy in the overlap area. We prepare the structure with the magnetization along one of the easy axes of magnetization and measure the waiting time for switching when a magnetic field favoring the other easy axis is applied. The waiting time for switching is measured as a function of the applied magnetic field and temperature. We determine the energy barrier for switching and estimate the thermal stability of the structures. The experimental results are compared with numerical simulations. The results indicate exceptional stability which makes such structures appealing for a variety of applications including magnetic random access memory based on the planar Hall effect.