Magnetic anisotropy in thin ferromagnetic films

The magnetic properties of thin ferromagnetic films are studied taking into account the magnetic anisotropy term in the Hamiltonian. In the second approximation equations are obtained for the magnetization of the monatomic layers parallel to the surface of the thin film. From these equations one obtains the Curie temperature, which depends on the thickness of the thin film and the ratio a between the anisotropy constant and the exchange energy between two neighbours. A value can be chosen for such that the thin film becomes ferromagnetic only for a thickness greater than a definite value and in this manner the theoretical results can be fitted to the experimental data. The situation in cobalt thin films is dealt with in particular.

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The author extends his thanks to the research workers of CIFA 1 as well as to Dr. L. Valenta for information on the same subject.