Topological defects, pattern evolution, and hysteresis in thin magnetic films

TL;DR

This study uses Monte-Carlo simulations to explore magnetic hysteresis in thin films, revealing that pattern reconstruction involves vortex-antivortex pairs and emphasizing the importance of in-plane magnetic anisotropy for hysteresis.

Contribution

It demonstrates the role of vortex-antivortex pairs and magnetic anisotropy in the hysteresis behavior of thin magnetic films, providing new insights into pattern evolution.

Findings

Vortex-antivortex pairs are involved in pattern reconstruction.

In-plane magnetic anisotropy is essential for hysteresis.

Magnetization pattern changes occur at stripe domain boundaries.

Abstract

Nature of the magnetic hysteresis for thin films is studied by the Monte-Carlo simulations. It is shown that a reconstruction of the magnetization pattern with external field occurs via the creation of vortex-antivortex pairs of a special kind at the boundaries of stripe domains. It is demonstrated that the symmetry of order parameter is of primary importance for this problem, in particular, the in-plane magnetic anisotropy is necessary for the hysteresis.