The magnetization reversal process of magnetostrictive Fe-based glass-coated microwires is magnetically bistable, characterized by the nucleation and propagation of a single domain wall. The distribution of the fluctuating switching field has been experimentally determined as a function of temperature.
Particularly, outstanding results concern the theoretical understanding of the reversal process considering magnetostrictive and structural defects contributions to the dynamics of switching process. A new damping mechanism ascribed to magnetic structure-defects has been introduced to account for the experimental results.
Recent experimental studies on the dynamics of the wall propagation have allowed us to confirm that the wall speed can reach several kilometres per second. Present studies are focused also to discuss on the actual Walker limit, and alternative propagation modes.