Flux Reversal by Noncoherent Rotation in Magnetic Films

A model of magnetization reversal in thin ferromagnetic films is proposed. The model is based on a small angular dispersion (∼3°) in the film plane of the axis of planar anisotropy. The dynamical effects of this dispersion are important when the switching field (Hs) is of the order of the anisotropy field, fall off rapidly with increasing Hs, and include a two- to threefold increase in the switching coefficient for bias field large enough to insure unidirectional rotation. In addition, it is shown that the transverse flux reaches its maximum before the longitudinal flux is one-half switched. These results are in reasonable agreement with experiment.