Numerical micromagnetics: Prolate spheroids

We have studied the magnetization patterns during reversal for a range of material parameters in a ferromagnetic prolate spheroid with a 2:1 aspect ratio. Some of the results are quite analogous to those observed previously in our study of a ferromagnetic sphere. Because of the shape anisotropy of the spheroid, certain switching mechanisms found for the sphere were not seen. However, new states, whose dominant features are most easily interpreted in terms of a complex domain wall structure, are found. The reversal process is governed by these states when they occur and the process is quite complex. © 1989 IEEE