Spin texture and energy analysis in artificial magnetic lattice inspired by nanosphere lithography

Artificially fabricated magnetic lattices, especially those created via nanosphere lithography, have garnered significant research interest due to their unique properties and potential applications across various technologies. This article examines micromagnetic simulation studies of a conventional nanosphere lithographed thin-film structure, which can be created through normal incidence shadow mask deposition, considering cobalt (Co) as the constituent material. Simulations are conducted on a hexagonally symmetric lattice with curved triangular elements mimicking the lithographed structure to analyze hysteresis loops at varying thicknesses in the range between 4 nm to 8 nm. We examine the spin textures during magnetization reversal and the variation in energies during the reversal process. Interestingly, our findings indicate that the variation in the system's total energy as a function of nanostructure thickness is qualitatively driven by changes in Zeeman energy likely linked to the spin canting angle. The findings provide a valuable foundation for advancing research on artificial magnetic lattices using nanosphere lithography.