Magnetization Reversal Mechanism in γ-Fe2O3 Thin Films

Magnetization reversal was studied in Co-Ti-Cu doped γ-Fe2O3 thin films, prepared by sputtering and heat treatment. The crystal grain size dependence of the coercivity suggested that the fanning mode is the most likely mechanism of reversal. The coercivity decreases with decreasing grain size because thermally activated magnetization reversal takes place. Rotational hysteresis integrals for the films ranged from 1.47 to 1.58, equal to those for the fanning mode.