Magnetization reversal of permalloy microparticles with the configuration anisotropy by magnetic-force microscopy

Magnetic force microscopy has been used to study the distribution of the magnetization in permalloy microparticles with a configurational anisotropy. The triangular particles with different degrees of concavity of the lateral sides have been studied. An analysis of the results enables us to state that the particles can be in several quasi-homogeneous stable states. It is shown that the particle magnetization reversal can occur both stepwise and also via an intermediate state in the dependence on the particle orientation. It is demonstrated that the quasi-homogeneous magnetization orientation in a particle can be changed by a magnetic-force microscope probe.