A PREISACH MODEL STUDY OF DEMAGNETIZED STATES

The question of the existence of a unique demagnetized state arose when several M = 0 magnetic states at H = 0 have been observed for epitaxial garnet films having simple stripe domain structures. The Preisach model of the magnetic hysteresis is capable of describing different demagnetizing processes. A recent vector moving model of the hysteresis properties of particulate magnetic materials predicts that, depending on the demagnetizing process, the demagnetized states are different. Measurements of the initial magnetization process after ac and dc demagnetization of particulate recording media have been performed and compared to the predictions of the vector moving model.