Continuous magnetization patterns in amorphous ribbons

Continuously rotating magnetization configurations rather than regular magnetic domains are observed by Kerr microscopy in magnetostriction-free amorphous ribbons after heat treatment in a rotating magnetic field. An almost anisotropy-free state is thus generated in which domain walls are no longer defined. Continuous patterns are also found close to the surface of ribbons with perpendicular oblique anisotropy, where regular closure domains cannot exist because of conflicting influences of anisotropy and pole avoidance.