Kerr microscopy study of magnetization reversal in uniaxial Co-films

We have studied the magnetization reversal Co(1 0 (1) under bar 0) films as a function of the applied field orientation by means of magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy. Hereby, we find that while stable intermediate domain states exist for most field directions, their occurrence is suppressed for field orientations along the easy axis of magnetization. To facilitate this study, we have developed a data extraction methodology that allows for the quantitative analysis and compact display of entire magnetization distribution field-sequences in a single picture. It furthermore allows for the automated data analysis to unambiguously distinguish magnetization rotation processes from field-induced domain formation. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.