Analytical study of fast precessional switching of magnetization in ferromagnetic nanofilms.

Precessional magnetization switching in ferromagnetic nanofilms such as permalloy (Py), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe) of 5 nm thickness with magnetic surface anisotropy (MSA) is investigated analytically in the presence of a magnetic field. When the strength of the applied magnetic field is increased beyond a threshold value, the time taken for reversing the magnetization in the above films decreases steadily. Among the films, Py requires the lowest magnetic field (3.98 kA m( - 1)) to reverse the magnetization and Co needs the largest (21.49 kA m( - 1)). Further, the time taken to reverse magnetization in Py film (06.46 ps) is far less than the reversal time in the case of Fe film (16.74 ps). It is found that MSA reduces the switching time significantly. Among the different films, Py is identified as a good candidate for use in ferromagnetic devices due to its energy efficient character.