Orientation dependence of magnetization near ab plane in micron-thick YBCO films

We have studied the orientation dependence of magnetization for the applied magnetic field oriented close to the ab plane in YBCO films of micron thickness. Using a SQUlD magnetometer, the longitudinal (parallel to the applied field direction) and the transverse (orthogonal to the applied field) components of the magnetization were measured. We have observed that most of the magnetization at any given orientation comes from that along the c-axis, due to the screening currents in the ab plane. However, magnetization along the ab plane cannot be neglected when the field is oriented very close to the ab plane.