2004/12/17 by E. A. Jagla · 3 citations
Materials Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Magnetic Properties and Applications #Magnetic properties of thin films #Theoretical and Computational Physics #cond-mat.mtrl-sci #cond-mat.stat-mech
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevb.72.094406
8 pages, 8 figures
arxiv created 2004/12/17 · openalex publication_date 2005/09/08 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We model the magnetization of quasi-two-dimensional systems with easy perpendicular (z) axis anisotropy upon change of the external magnetic field along z. The model is a generalization of the scalar ``phi-fourth'' model that considers only the z component of the magnetization, and includes magnetic exchange, dipolar interactions, structural disorder, and an external z-oriented magnetic field. The phase diagram in the disorder/interaction strength plane is presented, and the different qualitative regimes are analyzed, mainly focusing on the existence or not of an abrupt nucleation step in the process of magnetization reversal. The results compare very well with observed experimental hysteresis loops and spatial magnetization patterns, as for instance in the case of Co-Pt multilayers.