Controlled variation of rag-domain garnet film properties under oxygen annealing

Abstract

Thermal treatments in oxygen atmosphere offer a convenient way of varying the properties of ’’rag’’-domain garnet films (namely, films showing macroscopic unperiodical domains because of the vicinity of the compensation temperature to room temperature). Substantial changes are obtained in the following parameters relevant for the application of rag-domain films to magnetic writing and magnetooptic displays: anisotropy field, domain nucleation field, optical transmission, and compensation temperature. The last can be changed in a range of 65 °C around the as-grown value. The temperature behavior of the magnetization and the transitions between rag and strip domains are studied.