The effect of particle size on the thermal switching characteristics of metal particle tapes

The effect of particle length on the magnetic viscosity and high speed switching characteristics were studied for four experimental metal particle (MP) tapes. The particle length varied from 80 nm to 340 nm with diameters [approximately]20 nm. The magnetic viscosity and activation volume were not senesitive to particle length. High speed switching measurements show only a moderate increase in the remanent coercivity at [10.sup.-8]s. Results are compared to new models of magnetization reversal in acicular particles.