Micromagnetic Modeling: Theory and Applications in Magnetic Thin Films

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Abstract
Micromagnetic theory concerns detailed magnetization configurations and the magnetization-reversal processes in a ferromagnetic system. By combining the original micromagnetic theory with a dynamic description of magnetization orientations, one can simulate complete magnetization processes and calculate important properties such as magnetic hysteresis and magnetic switching dynamics. Not only can micromagnetic simulation predict complex magnetic-domain configurations in a ferromagnetic system, it also can generate transient pictures showing how a complex domain configuration forms. Very important among these systems are ferromagnetic thin films, particularly those used in sensors and recording devices. Micromagnetic modeling not only has enriched our understanding of existing magnetic films but has also been used to successfully predict the magnetic properties of new film microstructures created for particular applications. In this article, a brief introduction of micromagnetic-modeling theory will be given. Modeling of soft and hard magnetic films will be discussed separately through two examples illustrating the essence of micromagnetic-magnetization processes in these films.