Switching of single hexagonal particles with nonuniform magnetic properties

Switching fields of hexagonal particles with nonuniform magnetic properties are investigated using computer simulation. The switching field of a hexagonal particle with a low anisotropy energy constant (K-u) region at a corner of all three thickness layers is lower than that of the uniform particle when the field is applied almost perpendicular to the hexagonal planet However, when the field is applied almost parallel to the hexagonal plane, the switching field of the nonuniform hexagonal particle is similar to that of the uniform particle. A hexagonal particle with a low K-u region at the center also switches in a lower field than the uniform particle does when the field is applied perpendicular to the hexagonal plane. The switching field of a hexagonal particle with low K-u region in the surface layer is almost the same as that of a uniform particle.