Magnetization reversal properties near the reorientation phase transition of ultrathin Fe/Ag(100) films

We have measured the magnetization reversal properties of ultrathin Fe/Ag(100) films in the vicinity of the reorientation-phase transition using the magneto-optical Kerr effect. Near the reorientation temperature T-r, we observe a characteristic change in the perpendicular magnetization curves M(H) from a strongly nonlinear behavior for T<T-r to a simple linear field dependence above T-r. The experimental observations are discussed within the context of the expected temperature-dependent magnetization structure and the corresponding magnetization reversal processes. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.