Abstract

A study of macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) of the magnetic moment in systems with quadratic and higher order uniaxial anisotropy and Zeeman interaction is presented. By using the instanton technique, under the giant spin approximation, the escape rate or probability per unit of time G that the system undergoes a transition between coherent or metastable states is calculated. Using an effective particle potential we also determine the escape temperature Te(T), which marks the transition from quantum tunneling to thermal activation. A discussion is presented about the different models and the behavior of the magnetic system under the tunneling regime. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.