Magnetic anisotropies in dot arrays: Shape anisotropy versus coupling

The magnetization and resonance frequencies of submicron Fe magnetic dot arrays are investigated using Brillouin light scattering (BLS) and magneto-optic Kerr Effect (MOKE). Large in-plane anisotropies, evident in both the BLS and MOKE results, are traced to shape anisotropies of the individual dots. The measured magnon frequencies are in good agreement with values calculated on the basis of isolated ellipsoids without interdot coupling. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}