Magnetization reversal in an obliquely oriented metal evaporated tape

Magnetization reversal in obliquely oriented metal evaporated videotapes as a function of the tape depth was studied by vector magneto-optic Kerr effect and polarized neutron reflectivity. The magnetization vector was found to rotate coherently out-of-plane by an angle α during the magnetization reversal for a substantial part of the hysteresis cycle. However α differs between the surface-facing and the substrate-facing sides of the film, with the more oxidized surface layer following closely the applied field. Close to M≈0 the film breaks down magnetically into a collage of small domains, reflecting the crystalline microstructure of the material.