%0 Journal Article %T Simulation of Magnetization Switching in Nanoparticle Systems %A D. Hinzke %A U. Nowak %J Physics %D 2002 %I arXiv %R 10.1002/1521-396X(200202)189:2<475::AID-PSSA475>3.0.CO;2-4 %X Magnetization reversal in magnetic nanostructures is investigated numerically over time-scales ranging from fast switching processes on a picosecond scale to thermally activated reversal on a microsecond time-scale. A simulation of the stochastic Landau-Lifshitz equation of motion is used as well as a time quantified Monte Carlo method for the simulation of classical spin systems modeling magnetic Co nanoparticles. For field pulses larger than the Stoner-Wohlfarth limit spin precession effects govern the reversal behavior of the particle while for lower fields a magnetization reversal is only possible when it is assisted by thermal fluctuations. %U http://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0203054v1