Transverse field-induced magnetization process in an ultrathin Au/Co/Au film

The in-plane (transverse) H-parallel to field-induced magnetization reversa l process in a polycrystalline Au/Co/Au ultrathin magnetic film structure w ith strong perpendicular anisotropy has been studied. Faraday rotation micr oscopy shows that the domain structure, initially prepared under an H-perpe ndicular to field, is not influenced under H-parallel to. Only the value of the net perpendicular magnetization inside the domains is reduced. Our dat a are described in the frame of a simple model which assumes that the sampl e is composed of nanometer-sized uncoupled atomic terraces (patches) with d ifferent local anisotropies. The limits of our model are discussed. (C) 199 9 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)04417-4].