[en] S/F hybrids ; Magnetic domain ; Magnetic templates
[en] We investigate the nucleation of superconductivity in an Al/Al(2)O(3)/Py trilayer system by electrical transport measurements. Magnetic force microscopy images taken at room temperature show that the 0.7 mu m thick Py-film form stripes of magnetic domains with alternating out-of-plane stray field. After applying a strong out of plane magnetic field H the superconductor/normal phase boundary becomes asymmetric with respect to H = 0. This lack of field polarity symmetry results from the unbalanced size distribution of domains with opposite polarity. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.