The magnetic anisotropy of metal particles with high coercivity, useful in
the recording technology, is investigated with measurements of the anisotro
py distribution, as obtained from the second derivative of the perpendicula
r magnetization, and of the transverse susceptibility. Also the temperature
dependence of the magnetic properties is studied at the same aim. The rele
vance of shape anisotropy, and therefore of the particle morphology, in det
ermining the magnetic behavior of the advanced metal particles is expressed
. The effect of the particle-particle interactions on anisotropy is studied
in aligned samples with different packing densities. The average anisotrop
y field does not change with packing, which on the contrary affects the wid
th of the anisotropy distribution, which is larger in packed samples, becau
se of the diversified contributions of the interacting particles.