Simulations of magnetic domain patterns on the surface of Co/Ni multilayers

Magnetic domains in ultrathin films show a wide variety of patterns. Recent instrument developments, in particular in spin‐polarized low‐energy electron microscopy (SPLEEM), have allowed real‐time observation of magnetic domain patterns in thin films. Recent SPLEEM experiments have shown that the magnetic anisotropy, and hence magnetic domain patterns, in a Co/Ni multilayer changes with the number of layers. We simulate the magnetic domain pattern formation on the surface of a Co/Ni multilayer. The numerical simulations well reproduce the magnetic domain patterns that were observed in the experiments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.