Magnetization reversal of Gd(0001) thin films: TBIS- and MOKE butterflies in UHV

摘要: Abstract We present an in situ butterfly study of the plane magnetization reversal epitaxial hcp Gd(0001) thin films grown on bcc W(110) at T s =450°C ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). Two UHV-compatible techniques, viz., transverse biased initial susceptibility (TBIS) and magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) are used to record so-called loops well below bulk Curie temperature ( cb ≅293 K). The derivative character these allows one determine in-plane coercive field H c ). Hcp films, 40 80 nm thick, found be magnetically soft with =109, 132 230 K. A low value (≅5.8 Oe) is observed =230 K, this being close onset spin-reorientation gadolinium b SR ≅245 Also a anisotropy k ≅27 Oe deduced. distinguish two cases, both them measured low-applied-field regime where para-processes negligible: (i) when perpendicularly basal exhibit anhysteretic behavior (ii) as soon plane, bias-field dependence TBIS MOKE signals becomes hysteretic does reverse. might related recently surface spin canting. In article, we focus mainly case film . From Frolich-Kennelly plots, it concluded that thinner show smaller hysteresis losses accompanying reversal. comprehensive historical review methods also given paper.