MFM studies of magnetic domain patterns in bulk barium ferrite (BaFe12O19) single crystals

Magnetic domain patterns in bulk barium ferrite (BaFe12O19; BaM) single crystals on the basal plane and the prism plane were measured and studied by magnetic force microscopy (MFM). The surface domain pattern is in the form of flowers or star on the basal plane and long elongated spikes or stripe domains on the prism plane. The change in domain structure with applied field (Happ) and the thickness (T) dependence on domain width (δ) was observed. The domain width decreased from 32 to 9 μm for the crystals of 800–100 μm thicknesses, respectively.

► Magnetic domains on basal and prism plane of barium ferrite single crystal were observed under MFM.
► Change in domain structure of the crystal with applied field (Happ) was studied.
► Thickness (T) dependence on domain width (δ) was reported.
► Domain width decreased from 32 to 9 μm for 800 to 100 μm thicknesses, respectively.
► MFM images were consistent with domain patterns revealed by the Bitter method and MOKE microscopy.