Magnetic vortices are characterized by the sense of in-plane magnetization circulation and the polarity of the vortex core, each having two possible states. As a result, there are four possible, stable magnetization configurations that can be utilized for a multibit memory device. This thesis presents the selective writing of vortex states by electric current pulses and electric readout of the vortex states in a magnetic disk. Prior to the electric measurements, static readout of vortex states is carried out by MFM, and then by MTXM, after applying different current pulses to switch the vortex states. Later, we added all-electric static and finally dynamic readout of the vortex state.
Vortex circulation control is based on a geometrical asymmetry formed by cropping one side of the magnetic disk. The flat edge of the disk provides a preferential direction defining the sense of circulation during the nucleation process. Polarity control is generally achieved in a two-step process. Firstly, a homogeneously magnetized perpendicular magnetic anisotropy layer placed at the bottom of the disk imposes a defined vortex polarity upon nucleation of a vortex. Secondly, a fast-current pulse is used to toggle switch the vortex polarity, if needed. Hence, we are able to set the desired vortex state by sending a low amplitude nanosecond pulse that sets the circulation followed by a high amplitude picosecond pulse, which sets the polarity. The vortex states are then detected by electric spectroscopy via the anisotropic magnetoresistance effect. The samples for all the static and dynamic measurements are prepared by e-beam lithography and the lift-off technique.