Magnetization reversal in thin ferromagnetic films under mechanical stress

A simple micromagnetic model is presented to study the effect of stress on the magnetization reversal in thin ferromagnetic films ( well-known as inve rse magnetostrictive effect). To simplify the calculations the plane strain s are confined to be uniform. The externally applied magnetic field is orie nted either, parallel or perpendicular to the stress direction. For coheren t magnetization reversal, analytical relations between coercivity and stres s and remanence and stress were obtained. The nucleation modes and fields f or nonuniform, one-dimensional magnetization reversal were calculated. From our analysis we conclude that the stress dependence of coercivity is quali tatively the same with related experiments. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.