Domain observation in electrochemically deposited FeCo nano-rods by MOKE microscopy and micromagnetics

•Successful deposition of pure FeCo tilted nano-rods by electrochemical setup.•Understanding the pinning behaviour in pure FeCo film by Monte Carlo Simulations.•Magnetization reversal occurring through 180° domains observed by MOKE microscopy.•Micromagnetics predict such reversal due to high exchange stiffness constant. Highly magnetic FeCo alloy films were deposited on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) substrates by electrochemical deposition technique using different electrolytes. Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction studies confirms the formation of pure FeCo films. The films deposited using different electrolytes results in varied morphology viz. flower-like and tilted nano-rod like structures. The magnetic studies of the films reveals that the rod-like structures shows single phase hysteresis loops with low coercivity ~155 Oe in the in-plane and ~337 Oe in the out of plane configuration. The higher coercivity in the out of plane configuration arising due to pinning effects is modelled by Monte-Carlo simulations to estimate the effective anisotropy constant. The domain configurations observed at various fields using Magneto Optic Kerr Effect Microscopy shows that the magnetization reversal process follows 180° domain motion. Such domain motion is a manifestation of higher stiffness constant as explained by the micromagnetic simulations.