Quantum depinning of the magnetic vortex core in micron-size permalloy disks

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The vortex state, characterized by an in-plane closed flux domain structure and an out-of-plane magnetization at its centre (the vortex core), is one of the magnetic equilibria of thin soft ferromagnetic micron-size dots. In the last two decades many groups have been working on the dynamics of the magnetic moment in nanomagnetic materials at low temperatures, it giving rise to the observation of quantum relaxations and quantum hysteresis cycles. For the first time, we report experimental evidence of quantum dynamics of the vortex core of micron-size permalloy (Fe₁₉Ni₈₁) disks induced by the application of an in-plane magnetic field. It is attributed to the quantum tunneling of the vortex core through pinning barriers, which are associated to structural defects in the dots, towards its equilibrium position.