ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a Brillouin light scattering experimental investigation of the high frequency dynamical properties of multi-layered patterned elements with sub-micrometric lateral dimensions. When the inter-element separation is sufficiently small dipolar coupling leads to the formation of collective modes propagating through the array, with the appearance of Brillouin zones determined by the artificial periodicity. The study of spin dynamics in patterned magnetic structures is an interesting and challenging research field. Its development started about a decade ago when advances in lithography have made possible the realization of patterns of nanometric magnetic elements with controlled lateral shape and dimensions. A different approach to investigate the effect of dipolar coupling is to fabricate laterally confined elements composed of alternating magnetic and non-magnetic layers, as for instance in pseudo spin-valve elements. The Brillouin light scattering (BLS) spectra present several distinct peaks whose frequency changes with the angle of incidence.
