Ferromagnetic stripe domains in ultrathin films

Using simple magnetostatic considerations, we discuss the domain structure and the domain-wall width, omega, in ultrathin magnetic films (of a Few monolayer thickness) and in an atomic moriolayer. The demagnetizing energy is calculated in a continuum theory which is valid provided that the domains are large compared with the lattice spacing. The calculated domain-wall width, omega and the surface anisotropy constant, K-s, are compared with the experimental data for thin epitaxial Co/Au (111) films and a good coincidence is obtained between both results. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.