Magnetic anisotropy constants of Fe and Ni at 77, 4.2, and 1.09 K: Interdomain configuration transitions in Ni

Abstract

The magnetocrystalline anisotropy constants of Ni and Fe have been determined at 77, 4.2, and 1.09 K from M⊥(ϑ) measurements above technical saturation. At 4.2 K and below the X2↓ hole band contribution is observed for H↘0 rotation in the (100) and (110) planes. Anisotropy constants, K1, K2, K3, and K4 determined for Ni and K1, K2, and K3 for Fe are compared with previous values from torque measurements. Second-order interdomain configurations transitions in M∥ versus H have been measured for H↘0 in a (100) plane of Ni. The angular dependence of the transition fields is in good agreement with the theory of Lawton and Stewart extended to include higher-order contributing anisotropy constants.