The magnetic domain structure in low anisotropy epitaxial garnet films

Single-crystal films of (YCa)₃(FeGe)₅O₁₂ garnets were prepared by the liquid phase epitaxial method on the (111) plane of Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ substrates. These magnetic bubble domain films have comparable uniaxial anisotropy energy, cubic anisotropy energy and demagnetizing energy. A photographic technique was developed to measure the angles of inclination of the domain magnetization vectors with respect to the normal to the sample surface. Without an applied magnetic field these inclination angles were 58° and 122°. A simple stripe domain model was used to provide an explanation of the experimental results. This model can easily be extended for other types of mixed anisotropy cases.