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1 Eng Editorial Office -- 220 2026-09-26 16:45:16 |
2 Content updated. Catherine Yang + 25 word(s) 245 2026-09-30 02:58:25 |

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Zheng, L. Magnetic Thin Film. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60530 (accessed on 22 October 2026).
Zheng L. Magnetic Thin Film. Encyclopedia. Available at: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60530. Accessed October 22, 2026.
Zheng, Lionel. "Magnetic Thin Film" Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60530 (accessed October 22, 2026).
Zheng, L. (2026, September 26). Magnetic Thin Film. In Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/60530
Zheng, Lionel. "Magnetic Thin Film." Encyclopedia. Web. 26 September, 2026.

Magnetic Thin Film

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A magnetic thin film is a laterally extended layer of magnetically ordered material whose thickness is sufficiently small for reduced dimensionality, surfaces, interfaces, or geometric confinement to significantly influence its magnetic properties relative to those of the corresponding bulk material. Magnetic thin films can comprise ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, or antiferromagnetic materials and may be formed on non-magnetic or magnetic substrates, buffer layers, or as individual layers within magnetic/non-magnetic multilayers and heterostructures [1][2]. Although magnetic thin films commonly have thicknesses ranging from a few nanometres to several micrometres, there is no universal thickness boundary separating a thin film from a bulk material; the relevant criterion is the extent to which reduced thickness, interfaces, and geometry affect the magnetic state and behavior. The magnetic properties of thin films are determined by the competition among intrinsic exchange interactions, magnetocrystalline anisotropy, shape and magnetostatic anisotropy, surface and interfacial anisotropy, and stress-induced anisotropy [1][2][3]. These contributions influence the orientation and stability of magnetization, magnetic domain structures, magnetization reversal, and magnetic dynamics. Domain configurations, including single-domain, multidomain, and stripe-domain states, depend on the balance among exchange, magnetostatic, domain-wall, and anisotropy energies, as well as on the film thickness and lateral dimensions [2][3]. Interfaces and adjacent layers can further modify magnetic properties through interfacial anisotropy, exchange coupling, and other interface-related effects. Magnetic thin films are therefore important components of magnetic recording, spintronic devices, sensors, and other technologies that require controlled magnetic properties at reduced dimensions.

thin ferromagnetic film anisotropy magnetization reversal exchange coupling domain wall
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References

  1. O'Handley R.C. Modern Magnetic Materials: Principles and Applications; Wiley-Interscience: New York, NY, USA, 2000. ISBN: 9780471155669.
  2. Cullity B.D.; Graham C.D. Introduction to Magnetic Materials, 2nd ed.; Wiley/IEEE: Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2009. ISBN: 9780470386316.
  3. Buschow K.H.J. (Ed.) Handbook of Magnetic Materials, Vol. 15; Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2003. ISBN: 978-0080522456.
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Update Date: 30 Sep 2026
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