MAGNETIZATION REVERSAL AND DOMAIN-STRUCTURE IN THIN MAGNETIC-FILMS - THEORY AND COMPUTER-SIMULATION

A model is introduced for the theoretical description of nanoscale mag netic films with high perpendicular anisotropy. In the model the magne tic film is described in terms of single domain magnetic grains, inter acting via exchange as well as via dipolar forces. Additionally, the m odel contains anisotropy energy and a coupling to an external magnetic field. Disorder is taken into account in order to describe realistic domain and domain wall structures. Within this framework the dependenc e of the energy on the film thickness can be discussed. The influence of a finite temperature as well as the dynamics can be modeled by a Mo nte Carlo simulation. The results on the hysteresis loops, the domain configurations, and the dynamics during the reversal process are in go od agreement with experimental findings.