Isotropic strain and magnetic properties in Ni films

Magnetic properties in isotropically stressed Ni films have been investigated with a recently developed experimental technique. The anisotropy field (Hk) is strongly reduced by a tensile isotropic strain in the film plane: for a radial strain of 0.34%, a 21% reduction of H-k is observed. These data are discussed in terms of a simple phenomenological model which, in spite of its simplicity and lack of adjustable parameters, gives a correct prediction of the experimental trend with a satisfactory quantitative agreement. [S0163-1829(99)09001-3].