Magnetization reversal process at atomic scale in systems with itinerant electrons

The magnetic response of itinerant electrons systems to an external magnetic field is investigated on the basis of a microscopic Hamiltonian from which the spin-polarized electronic structure is determined. The magnetic moment and grand thermodynamic potential of the d-electronic subsystem on a particular atomic site in the presence of the external field are calculated as a function of the moment's orientation for fixed electron configuration of its local environment. Self-consistent magnetic solutions strongly depend on the d-electron number, determined by the position of the d level relative to the Fermi energy. For parameters corresponding to α-Fe, two branches of self-consistent solutions with high and low magnetic moments are found. For parameters corresponding to bulk Cr, a Fe impurity in the Cr matrix and a Cr impurity in the Fe matrix, there are only low-spin solutions. The theory is also applied for describing magnetization reversal processes in exchange spring magnets. A slab of Fe was considered as a soft magnetic layer. The influence of the hard magnet is modeled by the inclusion of an external magnetic field applied to the interface Fe layers. The dependence of the hysteresis loop on the thickness of the Fe slab and on the value of the interface field is investigated.