Detection of domain-wall position and magnetization reversal in nanostructures using the magnon contribution to the resistivity

We show that magnetization reversal detection can be achieved at room temperature using the contribution of magnons to resistivity, in 50 nm wide nanowires with either perpendicular anisotropy (FePt) or in-plane magnetization (NiFe). Even though these nanowires are made from single layers, simple magnetoresistance measurements can be used to measure switching fields, or to detect the position of a domain wall along a nanowire. Surprisingly, in NiFe nanowires, and for applied fields nearly parallel to the wire, the magnon contribution is found to dominate the classical anisotropic magnetoresistance.