The anisotropy field distribution is deduced in a number of magnetic record
ing systems by the second derivative of the branch of the hysteresis curve
in the range from saturation to remanence. The distributions so obtained ar
e compared with statistical distribution functions. Generally, the beta or
chi-squared distribution functions give the best fits for all samples. The
dependence of the anisotropy held distribution on the interparticle interac
tions and particle misorientation is also analyzed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien
ce B.V. All rights reserved.