Determining magnetic anisotropies from hysteresis loops

A novel method for determining magnetic anisotropies from hysteresis loops is presented. While sweeping the loop, a magnetic field is applied perpendicularly to the sweep-field axis. This causes the magnetization to rotate reversibly in a wide field range and still reach saturation at finite fields. An example is given whereby surface and volume anisotropies are determined from magneto-optical Kerr effect loops in Co films grown on stepped Cu(001). © 1997 American Institute of Physics.