Domain-wall scattering in epitaxial FePd ordered alloy films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

Domain-wall scattering in a FePd-ordered alloy film with strong perpendicul ar magnetic anisotropy has been investigated using magnetoresistance measur ements on a whole hysteresis loop and as a function of temperature. A stron g correlation between the hysteretic behavior of the resistivity due to dom ain walls and the magnetization process is found. The data are well describ ed by a spin-dependent electron scattering model. This study establishes th at this phenomenon can be used to identify directly magnetization reversal dynamics and electronic transport characteristics in materials with high ma gnetic anisotropy. [S0163-1829(99)07805-4].