Monte Carlo models of the magnetization reversal in thin films with strong perpendicular anisotropy

A variety of different models and Monte Carlo algorithms are used to study the magnetization reversal in thin films with perpendicular magnetization. The thin film is represented by a two-dimensional micromagnetic grid or array of classical Ising spins, with long-range dipolar and a short-range effective exchange interaction arising from the contribution of the domain-wall energy. The selection of an appropriate model requires some knowledge of the defects that may be present in the film and their mechanism of interaction with the domain boundary. Magnetic viscosity and equilibrium domain structures are simulated using the Metropolis algorithm with or without an additional energy barrier Other algorithms are useful when the process of nucleation and growth of magnetic domains involves a wide distribution of relaxation times. We study the relationship between the methods and discuss their relative merits and range of application.