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Presents the detailed micromagnetics of magnetization reversal in amorphous terbium-iron films by Lorentz microscopy. Nucleation and growth behavior of reverse domains; Method used to avoid the formation of oxidized surface layers; Types of magnetization reversal behavior.

High resolution images of laser-written magnetic domains in thin sputtered films of terbium iron have been obtained using Lorentz microscopy. The domains, written with a GaAs diode laser, are generally circular in shape with diameters in the range 0.9–2.2 μm. Conditions necessary for the observation of highly detailed images are described. It was found that with certain values of laser power and applied magnetic field, smaller irregular domains appear within the principal domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]