Extrinsic contributions to the ferromagnetic resonance response of ultrathin films

We develop a theory of the extrinsic contributions to the ferromagnetic resonance linewidth and frequency shift of ultrathin films. The basic mechanism is two magnon scattering by defects at surfaces and interfaces. In the presence of dipolar couplings between spins in the film, one realizes short wavelength spin waves degenerate with the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) mode, provided the magnetization is parallel to the film surfaces. Defects on the surface or interface thus scatter the FMR mode into such short wavelength spin waves, producing a dephasing contribution to the linewidth, and a frequency shift of the resonance field. The mechanism described here is inoperative when the magnetization is perpendicular to the film. [S0163-1829(99)03134-3].