Magnetization reversal in epitaxial MnAs thin films.

The magnetization reversal process of MnAs epitaxial films grown on semiconductor substrates was investigated by magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) microscopy, magnetic hysteresis, and magnetoresistance measurements. While the stripe patterns with opposite magnetization in the α-phase of MnAs have been observed previously, we have observed domain dynamics on a vastly different length scale. MOKE images revealed domain nucleation and avalanche domain reversal, which are a collective behavior resulting from interactions among a large number of α-phase regions. The observed reversal processes are reflected in the magnetic hysteresis and magnetotransport measurements. These effects are strongly film thickness dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]