title: 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 the 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 stripe pattern, such as the presence of canted states, the stripe width variation phenomenon, and the associated magnetization profiles, are also analyzed.
authors.affiliation: Centro Atómico Bariloche, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, CNEA, CONICET, Avenida E Bustillo 9500, R8402AGP SC de Bariloche, Argentina. spighin@cab.cnea.gov.ar
authors.forename: Santiago A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Pighin
authors.forename: Orlando V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Billoni
authors.forename: Sergio A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cannas
mesh_terms: D016880:Anisotropy; D003198:Computer Simulation; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D059346:Magnets; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D044367:Phase Transition; D011789:Quantum Theory; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial