Finite temperature phase diagram of ultrathin magnetic films without external fields

Abstract

We analyze the finite temperature phase diagram of ultrathin magnetic films by introducing a mean field theory, valid in the low anisotropy regime, i.e., close to de Spin Reorientation Transition. The theoretical results are compared with Monte Carlo simulations carried out on a microscopic Heisenberg model. Connections between the finite temperature behavior and the ground state properties of the system are established. Several properties of the stripes pattern, such as the presence of canted states, the stripes width variation phenomenon and the associated magnetization profiles are also analyzed.