Hysteresis loops of magnetic thin films with perpendicular anisotropy

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive model for the hysteresis behavior of magnetic thin films with perpendicular anisotropy, incorporating various interactions and disorder, and validates it against experimental data.

Contribution

The authors develop a closed-form model based on the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation that captures hysteresis and magnetization patterns in thin films with perpendicular anisotropy.

Findings

Model accurately reproduces experimental hysteresis loops.

Phase diagram reveals regimes of magnetic behavior.

Results align with observations in Co-Pt multilayers.

Abstract

We model the magnetization of quasi two-dimensional systems with easy perpendicular (z-)axis anisotropy upon change of external magnetic field along z. The model is derived from the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation for magnetization evolution, written in closed form in terms of the z component of the magnetization only. The model includes--in addition to the external field--magnetic exchange, dipolar interactions and structural disorder. The phase diagram in the disorder/interaction strength plane is presented, and the different qualitative regimes are analyzed. The results compare very well with observed experimental hysteresis loops and spatial magnetization patterns, as for instance for the case of Co-Pt multilayers.