Magnetization process along a direction inclined to the anisotropy axis

Abstract

The magnetization reversal process in thin Nd/sub 0.1/Co/sub 0.9/ films has been observed using a transmission electron microscope equipped with a special attachment to generate a homogeneous magnetic field in the film plane. When the direction of external field is inclined to the uniaxial anisotropy axis the domain structure, low angle Neel walls and rotations of local magnetization direction are asymmetric. An inhomogeneous distribution of the local magnetization direction inside a ferromagnetic film is a source of the stray field. An analysis of domain configuration indicates that the asymmetric low angle Neel walls are charged and produce strong stray fields perpendicular to the domain walls. In the new phase domains the stray field is positive, while in the old phase this field is negative. The local stray fields modify the incoherent rotations as well as the S-W instability and usually oppose the process of incoherent rotation. The local stray field has been calculated in terms of modified Stoner-Wohlfarth model. >