Computer Simulation of Magnetic Domains in Ultrathin Magnetic Films

Abstract

We performed a Monte Carlo simulation of magnetic domains in an ultrathin film with surface anisotropy. We found that the out-of-plane spin component S_i^⊥ forms magnetic domains and that the shape of the domains is closely related to the arrangement of the in-plane spin component S_i^||. When in-plane magnetization is absent (M^||=0), isolated bubble-like domains of S_i^⊥ appear, whereas stripe domains appear when M^||≠0. The bubble-like domains were found in thin films, and the stripe domains were found in thick films.