Energy switching is investigated, both theoretically and experimentall
y, between two identical ferromagnetic films. The frequency region, an
d the applied magnetic field direction selected, permits a magnetostat
ic surface wave to be generated in each film. After the exact theory f
or this magnetostatic directional coupler is given, an experimental st
udy of the evolution of the magnetic held distribution is presented. G
ood agreement between theory and experiment is obtained. (C) 1996 Amer
ican Institute of Physics.