STRIPE DOMAIN-STRUCTURES IN A THIN FERROMAGNETIC FILM

We present a theory of stripe domain structures in a thin ferromagneti c film with easy-axis magnetic anisotropy and long-range dipole intera ctions, for a wide range of temperatures below the reorientational pha se transition. Spatial anisotropy generated by the exchange energy wit hin domain walls pins the orientation of the domains. The domain struc ture can be described as a smectic liquid crystal with positional orde r destroyed by both thermal meandering of domain walls and by prolifer ated dislocations. The theory is in good agreement with experiment.