Co 0.4 nm /Pd 0.7 nm ] 50 multilayers with Pd film thicknesses in the first ferromagnetic maximum of interlayer exchange coupling display almost purely perpendicular-to-plane anisotropy and labyrinth stripe domain patterns in remanence. Their magnetization reversal is characterized by domain nucleation starting at a defined field H N and domain wall movement in a defined magnetic field range. The modification of the magnetization reversal by 10 keV He ion bombardment due to the reduced magnetic

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... anisotropy has been investigated by polar magneto-optical Kerr effect, by vibrating sample magnetometry, and by magnetic force microscopy at room temperature. It is shown that the ion bombardment creates and increases areas with ferromagnetic in-plane anisotropy and proportions of the sample showing superparamagnetism, the latter predominantly in the deeper layers. V C 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.