Asymmetric magnetic dots: A way to control magnetic properties
  We have used Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the magnetic properties of asymmetric dots as a function of their geometry. The asymmetry of round dots is produced by cutting off a fraction of the dot and is characterized by an asymmetry parameter $\alpha$. This shape asymmetry has interesting effects on the coercivity ($H_{c}$), remanence ($M_{r}$), and barrier for vortex and C- state formation. The dependences of $H_{c}$ and $M_{r}$ are non monotonic as a function of $\alpha$ with a well defined minima in these parameters. The vortex enters the most asymmetric part and exits through the symmetric portion of the dot. With increasing $\alpha $ the vortex formation starts with a C-state which persists for longer fields and the barrier for vortex exit diminishes with increasing asymmetry, thus providing control over the magnetic chirality. This implies interesting, naively-unexpected, magnetic behavior as a function of geometry and magnetic field. 
N. M. Vargas, S. Allende, B. Leighton, J. Escrig, J. Mej\'ia-L\'opez,   D. Altbir, Ivan K. Schuller
cond-mat.mes-hall cond-mat.mtrl-sci