We report on x-ray resonant magnetic scattering from laterally patterned arrays of amorphous Co${}_{68}$Fe${}_{24}$Zr${}_8$/Al${}_2$O${}_3$ multilayers. The arrays are composed of circular and ellipsoidal elements which display distinct individual magnetic responses enabling the investigation of the dependence of the observed magnetization on the scattering condition. We focus our attention to special points in reciprocal space, relating to the lateral and perpendicular structure of the samples, thereby revealing the magnetic structure of the multilayered arrays. This allows a comparison of the observed magnetization under different scattering conditions to magneto-optical measurements. The scattering data are supported by micromagnetic simulations which further enhance our understanding of the intricate charge and magnetic scattering from three dimensional patterns.

• Received 17 March 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.064426