Thermodynamic theory of domain structures

Abstract

A detailed description is given of certain results of domain structure theory which have been obtained recently and which have not, so far, been treated in monographs or reviews. A large part of the article consists of an analysis of the fundamentals of the theory; the properties of domain structures which are independent of those of the model are then considered in detail. Domain structures in uniaxial and cubic ferromagnets serve as practical examples; experimental results are given simply by way of illustration. Certain generally accepted ideas are shown to be mistaken and are criticized here. This criticism appears to be necessary because the ideas in question are widespread and are given in many text books.