Gaussian type inhomogeneous stress and strain effects on the magnetic properties in ferromagnetic thin films

Abstract

The effects of Gaussian type inhomogeneous stress and strain on the magnetic properties in ferromagnetic thin films are studied by Monte-Carlo simulation. The results show that the coercive field could be enhanced by the strain parallel to the easy axis and stress perpendicular to the easy axis, on the other hand, it could also be weakened by the stress parallel to the easy axis and strain perpendicular to the easy axis. The coercive field increases (or decreases) in the system, meanwhile, the remanent magnetization and squareness increase (or decrease) as well. More interestingly, the easy axis will rotate within the centralized region under stress parallel to the initial easy axis and strain perpendicular to the initial easy axis. The range of centralized region with easy axis rotation is strongly dependent on the magnitude of stress or strain and the width of its distribution.