Hysteresis properties of ultrathin ferromagnetic films

Abstract

We have investigated the hysteresis properties of Au/Co/Au films with ultralow Co thicknesses and perpendicular easy axis. At low temperature we observe a very strong thickness dependence of the coercivity, whereas striking dynamical effects are present at room temperature. We propose a model of wall motion which provides a consistent explanation of the overall observations. This interpretation emphasizes the crucial role played by the roughness with respect to the hysteresis properties of ferromagnetic ultrathin films.