Domain Wall Orientations in Silicon-Iron Crystals

Abstract

The stable orientation of a 180° ferromagnetic domain wall in a cubic crystal with easy directions is calculated as a function of crystal orientation for a sheet specimen with a direction parallel to the surface. The effect of the second crystal anisotropy constant K₂ on the domain wall energy is considered and shown to be negligible if |K₂| <K₁. If the crystal surface is a {110} plane, there are two equivalent stable domain wall positions, with the wall making an angle of ±32° with the normal to the specimen surface. If the crystal surface is a {100} plane, the domain wall lies normal to the surface. These results are changed if a stress is applied to the sample. Experimentally determined domain wall orientations agree with the calculated positions.