Distribution of switching fields in thin films with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy

► Two axis VSM analysis was used to analyse films with in-plane uniaxial anisotropy. ► Dip in total magnetisation at reversal is the switching field distribution. ► Switching field distribution is an exponential function of magnetic field. ► Switching field distribution is independent of the origin of anisotropy. ► Both components of magnetisation are modelled with only two adjustable parameters.