Magnetic Reversal of Ultra-Thin Films with Planar Magnetization

Published

August 25, 1999

Author(s)

R Hyman, A Zangwill, Mark D. Stiles

Abstract

Classical spin simulations are used to study magnetic reversal in ultra-thin (1-6 monolayers) films with planar magnetization and surface roughness typical of epitaxially grown samples. Reduced site symmetry at surface steps leads to strong, local anisotropies that both nucleate reversal and pin domain wall motion. The results we obtain from realistic models with periodic roughness are interpreted using a much simpler model with a single, finite-length step. These models show how growth induced roughness can lead to oscillations in the coercive field as the film thickness is increased, as seen in some experiments. they also demonstrate explicitly how local step anisotropies became less important and magnetostatic interactions become more important as the film thickness increases.

Citation

Physical Review B (Condensed Matter and Materials Physics)

Volume

60

Issue

21

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

anisotropy, coercivity, hysteresis, magnetization reversal, surface roughness

Citation

Hyman, R. , Zangwill, A. and Stiles, M. (1999), Magnetic Reversal of Ultra-Thin Films with Planar Magnetization, Physical Review B (Condensed Matter and Materials Physics), [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=620519 (Accessed December 26, 2024)