Magnetization processes in single domain elliptical permalloy thin films

We use the micromagnetic simulation to investigate the reversible and irreversible magnetization processes of the single-domain elliptical permalloy thin films. The reversible magnetization curve without hysteresis obtained by magnetizing the single-domain elliptical permalloy thin film along the hard axis is almost linear as are single-domain ellipsoidal particles. For irreversible processes with hysteresis, the switching field of the ellliptical thin film is reduced compared with that predicted by the Stoner - Wohlfarth model due to the occurrence of non-uniform reversal. (C) 2004 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.