90° Magnetization Curling in Thin Films

A 90° curling of the magnetization is found in magnetic films of 550 Å and less. This rotation takes place in a distance of the order of tens of microns. It provides a basis for the explanation of at least three distinct phenomena, the absence of closure domains at the film edge, the ending of domain walls before the film edge is reached, and the structure of 360° walls. Other experiments dealing with the motion of domain walls can also be explained on the basis of magnetization curling. Experimental curling distances at film edges are compared with those found from a theoretical model. The qualitative and quantitative experimental evidence is in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions.