The role of defects in the formation of the multidomain state of easy-plane antiferromagnets with magnetoelastic interaction

We analyzed the field dependences of forced magnetostriction in the multidomain state of the easy-plane antiferromagnet CoCl₂ obtained in the following cycles: the introduction-removal of a magnetic field lying in the easy plane, the introduction-removal of a magnetic field lying in the easy plane and directed normally to that introduced earlier, etc. The magnetostriction of the crystal in the multidomain state was shown to contain two components. First, the component reversible in the cycle magnetic field introduction-removal, which makes the major contribution in the crystal under consideration, and, second, a comparatively small irreversible component, that is, the contribution retained after magnetic field removal. In low fields, the reversible magnetostriction component was proportional to the square of the applied magnetic field. Field-induced rearrangement of the multidomain antiferromagnetic state was found to be responsible for singularities of the field dependence of crystal magnetization. In particular, in a near-zero field that lay in the easy plane, the transverse susceptibility decreased twofold compared with its value in fields in which the crystal is already in the monodomain state. At the same time, close to the “monodomainization” field, transverse magnetic susceptibility was maximum. Defects were shown to favor the formation of the reversible multidomain state. Determining factors in this process were elastic and magnetoelastic interactions. The multidomain state of antiferromagnets was described using the domain distribution function over the orientations of domain antiferromagnetic vectors with respect to the magnetic field direction and the magnetic field dependence of this function. The results of our analysis were in close agreement with the experimental data on CoCl₂.     

Magnetoelastic and elastocaloric effects in rare-earth metals,their alloys and compounds in the region of magnetic phase transitions

This article discusses experimental data and their theoretical interpretation concerning the volume magnetostriction, spontaneous magnetostriction, variation of magnetization under the action of pressure, and elastocaloric effects in rare-earth metals, as well as their alloys and compounds. Particular attention is paid to the region of phase transitions. The volume magnetostriction ω of true magnetization was investigated near the Curie temperature Θ as a function of magnetization and determined from the change of magnetostriction under the action of pressure. From these data we obtained the dependence of the exchange integrals on the unit cell volume. Giant volume magnetostriction and magnetoelastic elastocaloric effects were discovered in the rare-earth metals and alloys in the region of their magnetic phase transitions. It was established that giant volume magnetostriction in RCo₂ compounds is caused by a critical increase of the magnetic moment of the 3d sublattice of cobalt in magnetic fields that exceeds the critical field at T > Θ. Giant volume magnetostriction in R₂Fe₁₇ compounds near the temperature Θ is shown to occur due to strong deformational dependences of exchange interaction and the value of the 3d electron bandwidth.     

Multi-step-like Magnetization of LiNiPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> in a Pulse Magnetic Field

The results of magnetization studies of the magnetoelectric antiferromagnetic LiNiPO₄ single crystal in a pulse magnetic field with geometrical configuration H||c are presented. The investigations have shown that a breakdown of the AFM state of LiNiPO₄ in the magnetic field occurs by several stages. Temperature dependences of critical field values in the range 1.4 K - 21 K are obtained.     

Features of magnetic reversal of highly anisotropic uniaxial ferromagnets

Specificity of magnetization and magnetization reversal processes of highly anisotropic uniaxial ferromagnets, caused by the possibility of microvolumes of a material to exist in multidomain and single-domain states, is discussed. The influence of the demagnetization method on the behavior of the magnetization curves, thermal magnetization, and ambiguity of the shape of Henkel plots is shown by the example of the SmCo₅ and Nd₂Fe₁₄B compounds.     

Crystal field and magnetoelastic interactions in Tb2Ti2O7

In terms of a semiphenomenological exchange charge model, we have obtained estimates of parameters of the crystal field and parameters of the electron-deformation interaction in terbium titanate Tb₂Ti₂O₇ with a pyrochlore structure. The obtained set of parameters has been refined based on the analysis of spectra of neutron inelastic scattering and Raman light scattering, field dependences of the forced magnetostriction, and temperature dependences of elastic constants.     

Anisotropy of quasistatic magnetization-reversal processes in (210)-oriented iron-garnet films

An experimental study is made of the effect of an in-plane field H _p of various orientations on the domain structure and shape of the hysteresis loops of epitaxial iron garnet films with the (210) orientation. The characteristic of the magnetization reversal process (in fields somewhat lower than the anisotropy field) is taken to be the critical fields H _p1, H _p2, and H _p3, for which the magnetization reversal processes is interrupted at distinct stages. A method is proposed for constructing the phase diagram of the magnetic states of films, using measurements of the critical fields H _p for different amplitudes of the magnetization reversal field H _z . Two directions in the plane of the film are determined with an accuracy of a fraction of a degree from the hysteresis loops, where in the corresponding field Hp the transition from a single-domain state to a multidomain state occurs as a second-order phase transition. The characteristic changes in the shape of the hysteresis loop are consistent with the features in the reorganization of the domain structure of the (210) film. The preferential orientations of the stripe domain structure of the samples are determined relative to the crystal axes as determined by x-ray methods. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 32–35 (June 1997) Deceased     

Domain structure in centroantisymmetric antiferromagnets

The domain structure of an antiferromagnet whose magnetic-symmetry group contains a center of antisymmetry is studied theoretically. The magnetoelectric effect and weak ferromagnetism are shown to coexist in a domain wall. It is established that when the inhomogeneous magnetic moment interacts with a sufficiently strong magnetic field H ‖ C ₃, a multidomain state with an odd number of 180° domain walls becomes energetically favorable. The critical field for the transition from a single-domain state to a multidomain state is found. It is shown that domain reversal occurs when the magnetic field H is reversed.     

A comparative study of the magnetoelastic properties of the YFe10V2 and NdFe10V2 compounds

The magnetoelastic properties of iron-rich REFe₁₀V₂ (RE=Nd, Y) compounds were studied via magnetostriction and thermal expansion measurements in the 5–300 K range of temperature in up to 6 T external fields. Results of thermal expansion analysis show that the spontaneous magnetostriction of the compounds mostly originates from itinerant magnetization. Besides, the small volume striction appearing in the thermal expansion of the Nd compound close to 50 K suggests the existence of a basal to conical spin re-orientation transition. The volume magnetostriction isotherms of both compounds take minimum values for external field corresponding to the anisotropy field. In addition, the anisotropic and the volume magnetostriction traces of the NdFe₁₀V₂ take marked maxima under low field, with a relatively large initial magnetostrictivity, again more pronounced at the conical–axial spin re-orientation transition (T_SR=130 K). Analysis of the anisotropic magnetostriction of the Nd compound leads to the conclusion that the contribution of Nd–Fe interactions is negligible. The temperature dependence of volume magnetostriction is in good agreement with prediction of a phenomenological model based upon a fluctuating local band theory. This analysis shows that the difference between the forced volume strictions of Y and Nd compounds below and above T_SR originates from the Nd sublattice magnetization.     

Importance of in-plane anisotropy in the quasi-two-dimensional antiferromagnet BaNi2V2O8

The phase diagram of the quasi-two-dimensional antiferromagnet BaNi(2)V(2)O(8) is studied by specific heat, thermal expansion, magnetostriction, and magnetization for magnetic fields applied perpendicular to c. At micro(o)H* approximately 1.5 T, a crossover to a high-field state, where T(N)(H) increases linearly, arises from a competition of intrinsic and field-induced in-plane anisotropies. The pressure dependences of T(N) and H* are interpreted using the picture of a pressure-induced in-plane anisotropy. Even at zero field and ambient pressure, in-plane anisotropy cannot be neglected, which implies deviations from pure Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless behavior.     

Magnetic properties of hexagonal ferrite dot arrays

Patterned magnetic media have been considered as one of the promising candidates for future ultra-high-density magnetic recording. In this paper, a new kind of patterned medium based on hexagonal ferrite have been studied. We have successfully fabricated strontium ferrite dot arrays by electron beam lithography. Their magnetic properties are evaluated by magnetic force microscopy (MFM) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The results show the dot arrays have perpendicular anisotropy. Dots with the lateral size larger than 500 nm show multidomain magnetization configuration in the initial magnetization state. However, with dot size decreased to 500 nm, all the dots have single-domain configuration both in the initial magnetization state and remanent magnetization state.     

Saturation and forced volume magnetostriction of Fe-rich FeZr amorphous alloys

AC susceptibility, saturation and forced volume magnetostriction were studied on iron-rich zirconium amorphous alloys a-Fe_100-xZr_x (8 at% ≤ x ≤ 12 at%). The experimental results are discussed in relation to the re-entrant spin glass state. It is found that the transverse magnetostriction accompanies a remarkable magnetic aftereffect in the spin glass phase, and that the forced volume magnetostriction shows an apparent peak at the ferromagnet to spin glass transition where the ac susceptibility has a cusp.     

Magnetostriction of a single crystal of nickel observed with an X-ray four-circle goniometer

We proposed a technique to observe magnetostrictive coefficients of a single crystal specimen with X-ray diffraction. An angle between a direction of crystallographic orientation and a direction of magnetic field could be estimated with two kinds of diffraction peaks which were found with an X-ray four-circle goniometer. The magnetostriction was measured by a shift of Bragg angle. This technique was suitable for a case to observe the magnetostrictive coefficient which varied as a function of the magnetic field direction. We applied the technique to a single crystal specimen of nickel and showed dependences of the magnetostriction on the magnetic field strength and its direction around an axis of easy magnetization at room temperature.     

Micromagnetic study of magnetic domain structure and magnetization reversal in amorphous wires with circular anisotropy

In this work we present a detailed numerical investigation on the magnetic domain formation and magnetization reversal mechanism in sub-millimeter amorphous wires with negative magnetostriction by means of micromagnetic calculations. The formation of circular magnetic domains surrounding a multidomain axially oriented central nucleus was observed for the micromagnetic model representing the amorphous wire. The magnetization reversal explained by micromagnetic computations for the M-H curve is described in terms of a combined nucleation-propagation−rotational mechanism after the saturated state. Results are interpreted in terms of the effective magnetic anisotropy.     

Influence of diamagnetic cations Sc3+ on the magnetoelastic energy of M-type hexaferrites

The field and temperature dependences of the magnetostriction constants of a single-crystal BaFe_10.9Sc_1.1O₁₉ hexaferrite sample are investigated. It is demonstrated that the substitution of scandium ions for iron ions leads to a significant increase in magnetostriction constants and to their abnormal dependences on temperature below 250 K. The magnetoelastic interaction constants are estimated.     

Measurement of the stress sensitivity of magnetostriction in electrical steels under distorted waveform conditions

Electrical steel laminations used in the construction of transformer cores are subject to stresses introduced during their construction and analysis of the effect of this on the magnetostriction of the lamination has been investigated previously. It has been shown that higher harmonics of magnetostriction are of greater importance than the fundamental when considering transformer noise. Whereas previous studies have concentrated on the magnetostriction harmonics generated by sinusoidal magnetization, this investigation seeks to understand the relationship between harmonics present in the magnetization waveform and those in the magnetostriction waveform. A measurement system has been designed based on a similar principle to one previously described. In this case, a single Labview Virtual Instrument (VI) is used for the control of the applied stress, controlled magnetization and measurement of magnetostriction together with other magnetic parameters such as specific total loss, specific apparent power, permeability, coercivity and remanence. An adaptive digital feedback algorithm is utilized for control of arbitrary waveform which may be constructed from discrete harmonics or read from an input waveform. As well as measuring peak magnetostriction the software utilizes an FFT to calculate the harmonics of magnetostriction at each stress point. The effect of harmonics introduced into the magnetization waveform on the magnetostriction harmonics will be shown at various applied stresses. A harmonic, Harm_B in the flux density waveform is shown to have the effect of producing a dominant harmonic in the magnetostriction given by (Harm_B+1)/2.     

离轴磁场退火后Tb0.3Dy0.7Fe1.95〈110〉取向晶体的磁致伸缩"跳跃"效应

将〈110〉取向Tb_0.3Dy_0.7Fe_1.95合金棒放在与轴向成35°夹角的外磁场中退火处理,研究其在0—30 MPa预压应力σpre作用下的磁致伸缩效应.结果表明,σpre=0条件下的饱和磁致伸缩值λs由退火前的1023×10^-6提高到1650×10^-6;σpre 关键词： 磁致伸缩 磁场退火 磁致伸缩"跳跃"效应     

Dy substitution effect on the temperature dependences of magnetostriction in Pr_(1-x)Dy_xFe_(1.9) alloys

The temperature dependences of magnetostriction in Pr_(1 x)Dy_xFe_(1.9)(0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) alloys between 5 K and 300 K were investigated.An unusual decrease of magnetostriction with temperature decreasing was found in Pr-rich alloys(0 ≤x≤ 0.2),due to the change of the easy magnetization direction(EMD).Dy substitution reduces the magnetostriction in high-magnetic field(10 kOe ≤ H≤90 kOe) at 5 K,while a small amount of Dy substitution(x = 0.05) is beneficial to increasing the magnetostriction in low-magnetic field between 10 K and 50 K.This makes the alloys a potential candidate for low temperature applications.     

Magnetostriction domain structure in a periodic system of magnetoelastic and elastic nonmagnetic layers

The spectrum of magnetoelastic waves in a periodic structure of alternating ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic layers was studied. In the case of ferromagnetic layers with easy magnetization axes parallel to the layer surfaces, an orientational phase transition induced by an external tangential magnetic field H_e was considered. The formation of an inhomogeneous phase with a spatially modulated order parameter, which is caused by the magnetization being coupled through magnetostriction to lattice strains near the interfaces separating the magnetoelastic from elastic media, is predicted. It is shown that at a certain critical field in excess of the orientational phase transition field in the system without magnetostriction, a magnetoelastic wave propagating in a direction parallel to the in-plane magnetization vector M becomes unstable at finite values of the wave vector and condenses into a magnetostriction domain structure. A phase diagram in the (L, T, H_e) coordinates is constructed, and the regions of existence of thermodynamically equilibrium collinear, canted, and domain phases are established (L and T are the thicknesses of the ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic layers, respectively).     

Effects of pressure on magnetization of Fe-Ni and Fe-Pt invar alloys

The changes of magnetization under hydrostatic pressure up to about 20 kbar have been measured on f.c.c. Fe₆₅Ni₃₅ and f.c.c. disordered Fe₇₂Pt₂₈ Invar alloys in a pulse magnetic field up to 50 kOe with temperature down to 4.2 K. Although the pressure coefficients of the magnetization at room temperature are almost the same for both specimens, the coefficients at 4.2 K of Fe₇₂Pt₂₈ alloys is about one order smaller than that of Fe₆₅Ni₃₅ alloy. These results are coincident with those obtained by the recent measurements of the forced volume magnetostriction.     

Forced volume magnetostriction in (rare earth) ni2 cubic intermetallic compounds

The forced volume magnetostriction has been measured for the RENi₂ intermetallic compounds (RE = Ce, Pr, Sm, Gd, Tb and Dy). In GdNi₂ both spontaneous and forced magnetostriction originate from pure exchange and it is necessary to invoke short-range spin correlations to explain the peculiar temperature dependence. In PrNi₂, SmNi₂, TbNi₂ and DyNi₂ the magnetostriction is contributed to by strains from both crystalline electric field and exchange, the temperature dependence in TbNi₂ and SmNi₂ being also peculiar. Magnetoelastic coupling parameters for both types of contribution have been determined. At low temperatures a cooperative Jahn-Teller distortion has been identified in PrNi₂ by measuring thermal expansion. The volume magnetostriction of CeNi₂ appears to be anomalous, probably as a consequence of Ce being in an intermediate valence state.