Ferromagnetic domain distribution in thin films during magnetization reversal

W.-T. Lee, S. G. E. te Velthuis, G. P. Felcher, F. Klose, T. Gredig, and E. D. Dahlberg
Phys. Rev. B 65, 224417 – Published 3 June 2002
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

It is shown that polarized neutron reflectometry can determine in a model-free way not only the mean magnetization of a ferromagnetic thin film at any point of a hysteresis cycle, but also the mean-square dispersion of the magnetization vectors of its lateral domains. This technique is applied to elucidate the mechanism of magnetization reversal of an exchange-biased Co/CoO bilayer. The reversal process above the blocking temperature Tb is governed by uniaxial domain switching, while below Tb the reversal of magnetization for the trained sample takes place with substantial domain rotation.

  • Received 20 December 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.65.224417

©2002 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

W.-T. Lee1, S. G. E. te Velthuis2, G. P. Felcher2, F. Klose1, T. Gredig3, and E. D. Dahlberg3

  • 1Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831
  • 2Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439
  • 3Department of Physics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 65, Iss. 22 — 1 June 2002

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×