Alternating and rotational hysteresis losses of γ-Fe2O3powders in a nonmagnetic matrix

Some aspects of the alternating and rotational hysteresis losses of very diluted samples of γ-Fe2O3particles are examined. The packing fractionpof the particles ranges from 0.001 to 0.120. The coercive force is found to be independent ofp. The alternating and rotational hysteresis losses appear dependent uponpforp < 0.04; the rotational losses increase considerably aspapproaches zero. The values of the rotational hysteresis integral are close to the theoretical ones corresponding to the model of magnetization reversal of chain of spheres with fanning, but they increase slightly with decreasingpforp < 0.04. Generally, the ratio of rotational to alternating losses is about twice that for bulk materials. All these effects are ascribed to a weakening of the magnetic interactions among particles.     

Dielectric behaviour of a ferrofluid subjected to a uniform magnetic field

The electric susceptibility of samples of ferrofluids subjected to a uniform magnetic fieldHwas measured. The electric susceptibilitychiis dependent on the magnitude of the magnetic field and on the relative direction between the electric fieldEand the magnetic fieldH. 1) WhenEis perpendicular toH, frac{partialchi_{perp}}{partialH} < 02) WhenEis parallel toH, frac{partialchi_{parellel}}{partialH} > 0These results have been interpreted as a magneto-electric directive effect. A model is proposed, based on the assumption that the magnetic particles are roughly ellipsoidal and conducting grains.     

Biological crystallization of self-aligned iron oxide nanoparticles

Crystal growth and magnetic behavior of iron oxide nanoparticles assembled with biomolecules have been investigated. The nanoparticles assembled with trypsin molecules exhibit superparamagnetism at room temperature with blocking temperature ($sim$80 K) significantly lower than those without trypsin ($sim$140 K). This is attributed to reduced magnetostatic couplings between particles due to increased distance between particles separated by trypsin molecules. Moreover, the synthesized nanoparticle–biomolecule assemblies consist of a unique one-dimensional self-assembled arrays of nanoparticles found by structural analysis using transmission electron microscopy. The moirÉ fringes observed from the particle arrays indicate that the particles are aligned with slight misorientation of their crystallographic axes. Such an unusual formation of nanoparticle arrays may be relevant to specific ligand sites in trypsin molecules and the magnetostatic interparticle couplings.     

Changes in recording tape magnetization produced by stress

When mechanical forces are applied to single domain particles that are used in magnetic recording tapes, the resultant stress anisotropy energy alters the magnetized state, producing reversible and irreversible changes. We use four different experimental techniques to measure these changes and analyze the results in terms of the values for the saturation magnetostriction constants (λs) and the applied stress (σx). The reversible changes in magnetization (Mx) are roughly proportional tolambda_{s}sigma_{x}; the greatest irreversible or loss component occurs when the product of σxand λsalong the magnetizing axis (x) is negative, increasing when major easy axes make large angles withx.     

Critical superparamagnetic/single-domain grain sizes in interacting magnetite particles: implications for magnetosome crystals

Magnetotactic bacteria contain chains of magnetically interacting crystals (magnetosome crystals), which they use for navigation (magnetotaxis). To improve magnetotaxis efficiency, the magnetosome crystals (usually magnetite or greigite in composition) should be magnetically stable single-domain (SSD) particles. Smaller single-domain particles become magnetically unstable owing to thermal fluctuations and are termed superparamagnetic (SP). Previous calculations for the SSD/SP threshold size or blocking volume did not include the contribution of magnetic interactions. In this study, the blocking volume has been calculated as a function of grain elongation and separation for chains of identical magnetite grains. The inclusion of magnetic interactions was found to decrease the blocking volume, thereby increasing the range of SSD behaviour. Combining the results with previously published calculations for the SSD to multidomain threshold size in chains of magnetite reveals that interactions significantly increase the SSD range. We argue that chains of interacting magnetosome crystals found in magnetotactic bacteria have used this effect to improve magnetotaxis.     

A method for calculating hysteresis loops of interacting single-domain particle systems in a nonmagnetic binder

A method is given for calculating the minor and full hysteresis loops of a system of uniaxial single-domain particles with a common direction of easiest magnetization. A probabilistic approach is used in formulating the problem by means of two differential equations which are solved for the simple case of an infinite particle chain. The method is based on a model in which each particle is characterized by a rectangular hysteresis loop with a specific saturation field Hs, and the loops are influenced by the (homogeneous) external magnetic fieldHas well by the magnetization-dependent interaction of the particles among themselves.     

Change of RF susceptibility and parametric oscillations of the magnetization of stripe films in magnetic fields normal to the surface

Multidomain ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) for Permalloy magnetic fills (thickness 2700 Å) 83 percent Ni with rotatable anisotropy was experimentally observed with an external magnetic field applied normal to the sample surface. The lower frequency branch of multidomain FMR was excited when the RF magnetic fieldhwas oriented along the film plane; forhoriented parallel to the fieldH_{perp}the higher frequency branch was excited. The dependence of the resonant fieldH_{perp}on the frequency of fieldhfor multidomain and single-domain FMR was determined. Increasing the RF fieldhoriented alongH_{perp}gave rise to oscillations of magnetization with the frequency(1/2)f, wherefis the pumping frequency. The dependence of the amplitude of these oscillations on the strength of the RF fieldhand on the magnetizing fieldH_{perp}was investigated.     

Characteristics of the readback signal in digital magnetic recording

A theoretical treatment for the readback process in digital magnetic recording is presented. Three major factors, namely, the medium constantswhich defines the extent of the surface charge density, the head-to-medium spacingd, and the read head gap2 g,are taken into consideration. A general solution giving the characteristics of pulse readback signal is shown as a function ofs,dandg. Both amplitude and pulse width of the readback signal are arranged as a product of the medium loss, spacing loss, and gap loss, making it easy to describe the influence of each factor separately. The final value of the amplitude and the pulse width is proportional to that of the recorded surface charge density. Spacing loss simply depends on the ratio ofd/s; gap loss depends on the ratio ofg/(s + d). Theoretical results are compared with experiments which show good agreement for a wide combination ofs,d, andg.     

Grain-size dependence of anhysteresis in iron oxide micropowders

The low-field anhysteresis of small equidimensional multidomain particles of Fe3O4is found to be surprisingly large. For particle sizes below about 0.075 μm the anhysteretic susceptibility equals or surpasses that of elongated or doped equidimensional single-domain γFe2O3particles used in conventional recording tapes.     

Static and anhysteretic magnetic properties of tapes

The anhysteretic remanencebar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T)of solidified suspensions of magnetic particles with predominant shape anisotropy is calculated from first principles for small dc fields Hoand arbitrary temperatureT < T_{B}(blocking temperature), describing the particle interactions by a mean field and assuming constant decrement of the ac field,2H_{d}per cycle. ForH_{d}< 2H_{o}, the anhysteretic distribution of particle magnetizations is found to be subject to the condition that the net internal dc fieldbar{H}_{i}is a minimum, and, for small Ho, to the condition,bar{H}_{i} = 0. The theory yieldsbar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T)as a unique function of independently measurable static magnetic material properties, i.e., it contains no adjustable parameters and is hence quantitatively related to experimental data. Further, according to theory, ifbar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T,T_{m})denotesbar{M}_{ar}as acquired in Hoat T and measured atT_{m}, bar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T,T_{m} = T)is independent ofTforH_{d} ll 2H_{o}, andbar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T,T_{m} neq T) = [M_{s}(T_{m})/M_{s}(T)] cdot bar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T,T_{m} = T). The thermoremanent magnetization acquired in Hoand measured at a temperatureT_{m} ll T_{B},bar{M}_{thr}(H_{o},T_{m}), is related tobar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T = T_{m}, T_{m})bybar{M}_{thr}(H_{o},T_{m}) = [M_{s}(T_{m})/M_{s}(T_{B})]bar{M}_{ar}(H_{o},T=T_{m},T_{m}), where TBis the blocking temperature below whichbar{M}_{thr}becomes thermally stable. Up to a constant factor of about 2, the theoretical results agree quantitatively with the experimental data on all materials that correspond to the premises of the theory, i.e., solidified suspensions, tapes in particular, of particles having predominant shape anisotropy.     

Highly Oriented SrM Tape Hexaferrite

This paper reports on preparation of a magnetically anisotropic polycrystalline hexaferrite, Sr$_0.95$Ca$_0.05$Fe$_12$O$_19$, whose orientation degree is as high as 100%. The preparation uses standard ceramic techniques, including wet pressing and flowing-oxygen sintering. In this process, Ca$^+2$ions are substituted for Sr$^+2$ions in SrFe$_12$O$_19$by adding minimum impurities (Bi$_2$O$_3$and MnCO$_3$). Such a hexaferrite has a dielectric loss lower than$hbox2.3 times hbox10^-3$at 9.5 GHz, which is important for microwave applications and possibly for millimeter-wave applications. The paper describes the variation of specific saturation magnetization$sigma_ s$and magnetic crystal anisotropy field ($H_a$) with temperature ($T$), and compares the magnetic properties of the sintered hexaferrite with those of the strontium hexaferrite SrFe$_12$O$_19$.     

The Magnetic States and Processes of Magnetization Reversal of One-Dimensional Arrays of Ferromagnetic Nanoparticles

The properties of a one-dimensional array of single-domain ferromagnetic particles are analyzed using the original simulation method. Despite the simplicity of the system, it is shown that its properties are quite diverse. Magnetic configuration and magnetization curves are studied in the whole range of fields of interaction including distances wherein the interaction could be still considered as a dipole-dipole. Along with a purely academic interest, the results may be of practical value in the field of creation of new instruments based on magneto-resistance effect. A comparison with experiments showed that the model adequately reflects the properties of real systems.     

Models of elastic and inelastic flux switching

The totaldot{phi}(t)waveform of a square-loop magnetic core switched by MMFF(t)from negative remanencephi = -phi_{r}is composed of elasticdot{phi}_{epsilon}(t), decaying inelasticdot{phi}_{i}(t), and bell-shaped main inelasticdot{phi}_{ma}(t). The worst delta noise in a coincident-current memory core pair is essentiallydot{phi}_{i}(t). The sources of these components and the staticphi(F)curve are explained qualitatively by means of the random variations of the energy gradient vs. domain-wall position: elastic wall displacements and elastic rotation of magnetization inducedot{phi}_{epsilon}(t); minor inelastic wall displacements of essentially constant wall areas inducedot{phi}_{i}(t); and major inelastic wall displacements (involving domain collisions) of varying wall areas inducedot{phi}_{ma}(t). Semiempirical models for thedot{phi}components are based on the characteristics of these displacements. A satisfactory agreement is obtained between these models anddot{phi}(t)oscillograms of a thin ferrite core.     

Superparamagnetic effects in thin films

The experimental and theoretical concept concerning the magnetic properties of 2-dimensional arrangements of small particles with different strengths of interaction is discussed. Taking into account recent results on isolated small single-domain particles, a representation for a whole scale of possible structures from these to closely packed ferromagnetic films is given, using a molecular field formalism. The interaction considered may be much weaker than the full ferromagnetic exchange coupling. The resultant collective magnetizationMof such aggregates of small particles may be considerably lower than their spontaneous magnetization Ms. A transition temperature TAtowards occurrence of superparamag-netism may appear that is well below the Curie temperature Θ of the individual particles. These effects seem to be consistent with experimental data obtained by a number of authors using various methods of measurement. Observations of time effects at magnetization reversals in very thin films also support the aforementioned model.     

Effect of addition of carbon on magnetic properties of sputter-deposited CoCr film

The addition of carbon changes Ms, Hkeff and Hc(perp) of sputter-deposited CoCr films: Ms is always increased, while Hkeff and Hc(perp) are either increased or decreased by the addition of up to 0.32 at% carbon. How the substrate temperature and the Cr content in the film influence the effect of added carbon is investigated. Higher substrate temperature tends to stimulate the increase in Ms caused by the addition of carbon. A higher substrate temperature and higher Cr content tend to stimulate the increase in Hkeff and Hc(perp) and to prevent the decrease in Hkeff and Hc(perp) caused by the addition of carbon. The increase in Ms with the addition of carbon seems to be caused by an increase in the degree of compositional segregation. The increase and decrease in Hkeff may be attributed to an increase and decrease in Ku, respectively. The increase in Hc(perp) caused by the addition of carbon is probably due to the increase in Ku and/or to the refinement of the magnetic domain. The decrease in Hc(perp) may be attributed to the decrease in Ku even though the magnetic domain is refined.     

A Study of Hydrogen Sensing Performance of Pt–GaN Schottky Diodes

The performance of hydrogen-gas detectors based on Pt–GaN Schottky diodes with 24-nm-thick Pt contact was investigated. Current–voltage ($I$–$V$) Characteristics were measured in two ambients (e.g., synthetic air (20%$hboxO_2$in$hboxN_2$) and 1-vol.%$hboxH_2$in synthetic air) at different temperatures. The forward current of the diodes is found to increase significantly upon introduction of$hboxH_2$into the synthetic air ambient. Analysis of the$I$–$V$characteristics as a function of temperature demonstrated that the observed current increase is due to a decrease in the effective barrier height (BH) through a decrease in the Pt work function upon absorption of hydrogen. The decrease in the BH was measured as high as 30 and 152 meV at 25$^circhboxC$and at 280$^circhboxC$, respectively, upon introduction of$hboxH_2$into the ambient. The changes in the BH were completely reversible upon restoration of the synthetic air ambient. The sensitivity to the hydrogen gas was investigated in dependence on the operating temperature for 1-vol.% hydrogen in synthetic air. The changes in the forward bias at a constant current density of 3.2$hboxA/cm^2$was 90 and 330 mV at 25$^circhboxC$and at 310$^circhboxC$, respectively, upon introduction of 1-vol.%$hboxH_2$into the ambient. Additionally, a significant increase in the sensitivity and a decrease in the response and recovery times have been observed after increasing the operating temperature up to$sim hbox310 ^circhboxC$.     

Effects of annealing time on the structural and magnetic properties of L10 FePt thin films

Thermal annealing of [Fe 1.65 nm/Pt 1.84 nm]₅₀ multilayers at 673 K for various annealing times between 60 and 12000 s leads to the direct formation of the fully ordered L1₀ FePt phase with (111) texture. The average grain sizes, determined from X-ray diffraction size-strain analysis, are smaller than the critical size for multi-domain FePt particles, suggesting the presence of single-domain (SD) grains. The coercivity increases with annealing time and increasing grain size and reaches values of about 955 kA/m. The remanence values are typical for randomly oriented weakly-interacting particles. A decrease of the remanence with annealing time suggests a decrease of the intergrain exchange interactions with annealing time. Analysis of minor loops and the initial magnetization curves shows the presence of a broad distribution of critical fields, which the individual SD particles have to overcome for the magnetization reversal.     

A new principle for fast DC-sensitive potential-independent current comparators

A new principle of operation makes feasible small, cheap potential-independent current comparators whose performance reaches or exceeds the best properties of bulky magnetic amplifiers of the second-harmonic type. Connection of a ferrite-core coil in parallel with a suitable negative resistance generates relaxation oscillationsg(t). Inherently, at large oscillations the coil (i,phi)- characteristic is perfectly symmetric about the origin:phi(-i) = -phi(i). Provided that the negative-resistance (i,u)- characteristic has the same symmetry:i(-u) = -i(u), the oscillationsg(t)are perfectly symmetrical in the sense thatg(t+T/2) = -g(t). Heregrepresents either the coil flux φ, the currentior the voltageu. The time istandTthe oscillation period. External magnetomotive force shifts the coil (i,phi)-characteristics, invalidating (1) and therefore (3). Consequently, the deviation from 50% duty-ratio of the oscillatingq(t)is a sensitive and extremely stable measure of this MMF. Neither core temperature, pressure nor magnetic creep cause any zero drift. Orders of magnitude reached experimentally are: Short-time zero instability and noise:leq 10^{-5}ampere-turn, time resolution:leq 10^{-4}s, zero drift from -70 to +100°C:< 10^{-4}ampere-turn.     

The effect of interactions on the saturation remanence of particulate assemblies

The effect of interactions on the saturation remanence of assemblies of identical, uniaxially anisotropic, single-domain particles is calculated using a spatial-mean interaction field. The particle easy-axis directions are assumed known and given by a distribution function. The remanence is determined by finding the magnetization orientation functional of the particle easy-axis orientation which minimizes the total assembly energy. Curves of remanence versus interaction strength (assembly packing fraction) are shown for a) randomly oriented assemblies of spherical particles with uniaxial crystalline anisotropy only, b) randomly oriented assemblies of acicular particles with shape anisotropy, and c) oriented assemblies of acicular particles with 6:1 aspect ratio. Disregarding external sample-shape demagnetization effects, this model always yields increased remanences due to interactions. A criterion is given which predicts when external shape effects are capable of dominating the net interaction field to yield a reduction in remanence. The applicability of these results and extensions of the theory are discussed in relation to particle assemblies in magnetic tape and high coercivity CoNiP films.     

Propriétés des ferrites de lithium partiellement substitués par l'aluminum destinés aux dispositifs micro-ondes

The properties of lithium-alumina substituted ferrites are intended for microwave devices. It is possible to distinguish two main cases. In the first, the materials are magnetically saturated and in the second, the materials work in the hysteresis loop region. Data on lithium-alumina polycristalline materials from the family Li2O; 5(1-x) [(1-y)Fe2O3,yAl2O3];zMnO2; are given,xandzbeing chosen to optimize the dielectric properties. At room temperature, asyis varied from 0 to 0.20, the properties of these materials vary in the following manner: saturation magnetization 4π Ms, from 3770 to 1340 G; Curie temperature θcfrom 590 to 430 °C. The coercitive forceHc, the squareness ratioR, and linewidthDeltaHdepend upon the firing conditions and technology chosen. Measured values are in theHc= 1.1- to 2.5-Oe range andR= 0.75 to 0.92 range. These properties appear satisfactory for microwave devices and, in particular, for latching devices aboveS-band frequencies.