New magnetic phases in thin terbium films

Abstract

We report a theoretical investigation of new magnetic phases of thin terbium (Tb) films in the temperature interval between 220 K and 280 K, and under external magnetic field strengths ranging from 50 Oe to 1 kOe. We show that surface effects may produce relevant changes in the helimagnetic phase, such as the nucleation of alternating-helix phases. Changes in the exchange energy balance near the surface, favor the alignment with the external field and the nucleation of the alternating-helix phase.