Dimensional crossover and driven interfaces in disordered ferromagnets

Abstract

We study the depinning transition of driven interfaces in thin ferromagnetic films driven by external magnetic fields. Approaching the transition point the correlation length increases with decreasing driving. If the correlation length becomes of the order of the film thickness a crossover to two dimensional behavior occurs. From the corresponding scaling analysis we determine the exponents characterizing the transition of the three dimensional system.

accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. E; scheduled issue 01 Jan. 2002