Domain evolution during the spin-reorientation transition in epitaxial NdCo5 thin films

Abstract

The domain structure and its changes with temperature were investigated for an epitaxial NdCo _5 thin film with in-plane texture in which a spin-reorientation transition takes place from the easy c -axis via the easy cone to the easy plane. Scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis reveals a transition from a two-domain state at temperatures above 318 K via a four-domain state back to a 90°-rotated two-domain state at temperatures below 252 K. The transition temperatures correspond well to those determined by global magnetization measurements. The magnetization configuration at the three different regimes of magnetic anisotropy and its transition with temperature were analysed in detail. From the local measurements, the spin-reorientation angle and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constants of first and second order were derived.