Stripe domains in multilayers: Micromagnetic simulations

An analysis of the equilibrium micromagnetic structure in multilayer films obtained by numerical computations is reported. The present work is devoted to Co/Pt multilayers exhibiting perpendicular anisotropy and intermediate quality factor where comparison with previous experimental works can be don e. A fair description of the magnetization behavior inside each magnetic la yer in the stack is proposed including anisotropy surface and applied field effects. In spite of the discontinuous aspect of the film and the absence of any interlayer exchange contribution the magnetization distribution look s like a Landau-Lifshitz structure. However, basic differences between mult ilayers and continuous thin films are highlighted. The computed equilibrium stripe pattern periodicity and simulated Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) c ontrast prove to be in reasonable agreement with experimental observations.