Response of colloidal liquids containing magnetic holes of different volume densities to magnetic field characterized by transmission measurement

This paper systematically investigates the response of colloidal liquids containing magnetic holes of different volume densities to magnetic field by conventional transmission measurements. It finds that the enhancement in the transmission of such a colloidal liquid under a magnetic field exhibits a strong dependence on the volume density of magnetic holes. A linear increase in the maximum enhancement factor is observed when the volume density of magnetic holes is below a critical level at which a maximum enhancement factor of ～150 is achieved in the near infrared region. Once the volume density of magnetic holes exceeds the critical level, a sharp drop of the maximum enhancement factor to ～2 is observed. After that, the maximum enhancement factor increases gradually till a large volume density of ～9%. By monitoring the arrangement of magnetic holes under a magnetic field, it reveals that the colloidal liquids can be classified into three different phases, i.e., the gas-like, liquid-like and solid-like phases, depending on the volume density of magnetic holes. The response behaviour of colloidal liquids to magnetic field is determined by the interaction between magnetic holes which is governed mainly by their volume density. A phase transition, which is manifested in the dramatic reduction in the maximum enhancement factor, is clearly observed between the liquid-like and solid-like phases. The optical switching operations for colloidal liquids in different phases are compared and the underlying physical mechanisms are discussed.     

Pulsed magnetic resonance as a probe of longitudinal spin waves and magnetic second sound

Under appropriate conditions, longitudinal spin waves and spin wave second sound, a magnetic temperature wave, can be observed in quantum liquids and solid using pulsed magnetic resonance. A “hole-burning” experiment yields directly the spectrum ω(k) of the propagating magnetic wave.     

Empirical magnetic structure solution of frustrated spin systems

Frustrated magnetism plays a central role in the phenomenology of exotic quantum states. However, since the magnetic structures of frustrated systems are often aperiodic, there has been the problem that they cannot be determined by using traditional crystallographic techniques. Here we show that the magnetic component of powder neutron scattering data is actually sufficiently information-rich to drive magnetic structure solution for frustrated systems, including spin ices, spin liquids, and molecular magnets. Our methodology employs ab?initio reverse Monte?Carlo refinement, making informed use of an additional constraint that minimizes variance in local spin environments. The atomistic spin configurations obtained in this way not only reflect a magnetic structure "solution" but also reproduce the full three-dimensional magnetic scattering pattern.     

Ultrasonic investigation of magnetic nanoparticles suspension with PEG biocompatible coating

Water suspension of nanoparticles was studied by ultrasound spectroscopy. Nanoparticles have a core-shell structure with magnetic core Fe₃O₄ and surfactant shells. The surface of magnetic particles was coated with oleate sodium as the primary layer and polyethylene glycol as the secondary layer. The acoustic properties of suspensions, such as velocity and attenuation of ultrasonic waves, have been measured. From experimental data mechanical properties have been determined. Adiabatic compressibility of nanoparticles suspension decreased with increase of temperature. The changes of ultrasonic wave attenuation under the influence of the external magnetic field, show that magnetic liquids with high concentration of magnetic material (despite two surfactant shells) show tendency to aggregate.     

Antiferromagnetic ordering in magnetic ionic liquid Emim[FeCl4]

The magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) are considered to open up a wide range of applications because of their magnetic and electrochromic switching. Until recently almost all magnetic ionic liquids containing tetrachloroferrate ion FeCl₄⁻ evidenced a paramagnetic temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, with only small deviations from the Curie law at low temperatures. However, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate, Emim[FeCl₄], clearly exhibits a long-range antiferromagnetic ordering below the Neel temperature T_N≈3.8 K. In addition, the shape of the magnetic ordering depends on the cooling speed, indicating that the magnetic coupling could be modified.     

Effect of poly (ethylene glycol) coating on the magnetic and thermal properties of biocompatible magnetic liquids

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of poly(ethylene glycol) surface-active coating on the magnetic and thermal properties of biocompatible magnetic liquids. The data were analyzed using the high-temperature approximation model taking into account polydispersity of a system. Heating ability of the PEG-stabilized magnetic fluids was determined by the calorimetric measurement of specific absorption rate (SAR) at a frequency of 750 kHz and a magnetic field of 0-2 kA/m. MF-Oleate/PEG heating properties were found to be comparable to the ones of MF-Oleate. The PEG shell thus does not seem to effect the thermal characteristics and SAR values and might make the magnetic fluid useful for application in hyperthermia treatment.     

Shear-excited sound in magnetic fluid

Perceptible sound is shown to be excited in ferrofluids by the shear motion of a rigid plate, if the fluid is exposed to a magnetic field oblique both to the plate and to the direction of propagation. This is in contrast to other fluids, including anisotropic ones such as nematic liquids.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance measurement station in SECUF using hybrid superconducting magnets

Nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) is one of the most powerful tools to explore new quantum states of condensed matter induced by high magnetic fields at a microscopic level. High magnetic field enhances the intensity of the NMR signal, and more importantly, can induce novel phenomena. In this article, examples are given on the field-induced charge density wave(CDW) in high-Tc superconductors and on the studies of quantum spin liquids. We provide a brief introduction to the high magnetic field NMR platform, the station 4 of the Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility(SECUF), being built at Huairou, Beijing.     

Measurement of thermal diffusivity by magnetic resonance imaging

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) may be used for monitoring temperature changes within samples based on measurements of relaxation times, the diffusion coefficient of liquids, proton resonance frequency or phase shifts. Such methods may be extended to the explicit measurement of the thermal diffusivity of materials by NMR imaging. A method based on measuring nuclear spin phase shifts or changes in the equilibrium nuclear magnetization has been developed for measuring transient thermal diffusion effects and thermal diffusivity with potential applications in NMR thermotherapy and materials science. In this method, a thermal pulse is applied to a medium, and the resultant temporal variations of the nuclear spin phase or of the magnitude of the nuclear magnetization produced by the thermal pulse are monitored at a spatial distance. The results obtained on common fluids agree well with the data from other methods.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance from a quasi two dimensional fluid

Pulsed Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of a quasi two-dimensional fluid, neopentane adsorbed upon graphite, have been measured. Large upfield chemical shifts arising from the diamagnetic anisotropy of the graphite substrate have been observed for the fluid phase and are consistent with the two-dimensional character of the layer. The shifts allow an estimate of the mean molecule-surface distance to be made. Diffusion constant measurements show an enhanced translational mobility compared with the bulk liquid at the same temperature. Spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation time measurements cannot be explained by the theory of spin relaxation in bulk liquids but are in qualitative agreement with the behaviour predicted by theories of nuclear spin relaxation in two dimensions.     

Ultrasonic determination of the particle size distribution in water-based magnetic liquid

Magnetic liquids are stable colloidal suspensions of nano-sized magnetic particles in a carrier liquid medium. In the present paper the determination of the particle size distribution function using ultrasonic spectroscopy is described. The ultrasonic spectra of water-based magnetic fluid measured in the 3.5-50 MHz frequency range are analyzed using formulas for the velocity and absorption of sound in dispersion media obtained by Vinogradov. The results of the ultrasonic studies are compared with the particles size distribution function evaluated from the processing of the magnetic susceptibility data.     

A mobile one-sided NMR sensor with a homogeneous magnetic field: the NMR-MOLE

A new portable NMR sensor with a novel one-sided access magnet design, termed NMR-MOLE (MObile Lateral Explorer), has been characterised in terms of sensitivity and depth penetration. The magnet has been designed to be portable and create a volume with a relatively homogeneous magnetic field, 15,000 ppm over a region from 4 to 16 mm away from the probe, with maximum sensitivity at a depth of 10 mm. The proton NMR frequency is 3.3 MHz. We have demonstrated that with this approach a highly sensitive, portable, unilateral NMR sensor can be built. Such a design is especially suited for the characterisation of liquids in situations where unilateral or portable access is required.     

Interface profile evolution between binary immiscible fluids induced by high magnetic field gradients

A mechanical analysis is done to find the evolution of the interface profile between binary immiscible fluids induced by a three-dimensional orthogonal magnetic field gradient.In the experiments,the changes of the interface profile between four groups of binary immiscible fluids are investigated under the same horizontal magnetic field gradients.The binary immiscible fluids are made of benzene and other liquids,like CuSO4,Fecl3,FeSO4 or Cucl2 aqueous solutions.In addition,the interface profile between the benzene and CuSO4 aqueous solution is examined under different horizontal magnetic field gradients.The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical analysis.This study explains the enhanced Moses effect from a mechanics standpoint.Furthermore,a new method for susceptibility measurement is proposed based on this enhanced Moses effect.     

The roles of hydrochloric acid and polyethylene glycol in magnetic fluids

Increasing interest has been drawn to the studies of magnetic fluids due to their multiple applications from industry to medicine. However, further exploration is still required for the techniques of preparing satisfying, convenient and stable magnetic fluids. We explored characteristics of magnetic liquids prepared by employing co-precipitation techniques of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), and the functions of HCl and PEG in the magnetic liquid. According to the improved technique, after preparing Fe₃O₄ by a co-precipitation method, hydrochloric acid and PEG2000 react with magnetic particles at a certain temperature to generate the anticipated magnetic nanoparticles. The process could be under an air atmosphere rather than a N₂ atmosphere. Compared with traditional techniques, the magnetic nanoparticles prepared by this method have smaller size, better dispersion and stability, with the average hydrodynamic diameter adjustable between 8 and 50 nm. This study revealed that reduction of nanoparticles size is not mainly due to a [Cl⁻] coating over the magnetic nanoparticles, but that HCl reacts with Fe₃O₄ particles after being heated. Meanwhile, PEG can stabilize or coat Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a dispersing and stabilizing agent.     

Viscosity and dispersion state of magnetic suspensions

We investigate the viscosity behavior of a magnetic suspension in which magnetic particles are dispersed in a mixture of polyacrylic liquids. The size of magnetite particles is nearly 300 nm and the volume fraction of the magnetic particles is in the range of 0.003-0.03. The particle concentration dependence of the suspension viscosity yields the intrinsic viscosity [η], which varies from 25.6 at 5 s⁻¹ to 5.1 at 400 s⁻¹. The yield stress and the infinite shear viscosity of the suspension increase non-linearly as the particle concentration ? increases. We examine the effect of process conditions such as milling time and amount of dispersant on the viscosity behavior of the suspension. As milling time elapses, yield stress and low shear viscosity decrease and then reach constant values while the infinite shear viscosity remains constant. When oleic acid is added as a dispersant, the yield stress and low shear viscosity of the suspension show minimum values as the amount of oleic acid increases. These results agree with experimental results of sedimentation tests, which enable us to estimate the aggregate size of magnetic suspension. The yield stress and the low shear viscosity of the magnetic suspension are found to be useful in evaluating the dispersion state of the magnetic suspension.     

XY spin fluid in an external magnetic field

A method of integral equations is developed to study anisotropic fluids with planar spins in an external field. As a result, the calculations for these systems appear to be no more difficult than those for ordinary homogeneous liquids. The approach proposed is applied to the ferromagnetic XY spin fluid in a magnetic field using a soft mean spherical closure and the Born-Green-Yvon equation. This provides an accurate reproduction of the complicated phase diagram behavior obtained by cumbersome Gibbs ensemble simulation and multiple histogram reweighting techniques.     

磁性材料的磁结构、磁畴结构和拓扑磁结构

首先简要地介绍了磁性材料中磁结构、磁畴结构和拓扑磁结构以及相互之间的关系. 一方面, 磁畴结构由材料的磁结构、内禀磁性和微结构因素决定; 另一方面, 磁畴结构决定了材料磁化和退磁化过程以及技术磁性. 拓扑学与材料物理、材料性能的联系越来越紧密. 最近的研究兴趣集中在一些拓扑磁性组态, 如涡旋、磁泡、麦纫、斯格米子等. 研究发现这些拓扑磁结构的拓扑性质与磁性能密切相关. 然后从尺寸效应、缺陷、晶界三个方面介绍国际学术界在磁结构、磁畴结构和拓扑磁结构方面的进展. 最后介绍了在稀土永磁薄膜材料的微观结构、磁畴结构和磁性能关系、交换耦合纳米盘中的拓扑磁结构及其动力学行为方面的工作. 通过对文献的评述, 得到以下结论: 开展各向异性纳米复合稀土永磁材料的研究对更好地利用稀土资源具有重要的意义. 可以有目的地改变材料的微结构, 可控地进行磁性材料的磁畴工程, 最终获得优秀的磁性能. 拓扑学的概念正在应用于越来越多的学科领域, 在越来越多的材料中发现拓扑学的贡献. 研究磁畴结构、拓扑磁性基态或者激发态的形成规律以及动力学行为对理解量子拓扑相变以及其他与拓扑相关的物理效应是十分重要的. 也会帮助理解不同拓扑学态之间相互作用的物理机制及其与磁性能之间的关系, 同时拓展拓扑学在新型磁性材料中的应用.     

On the possibility of using short chain length mono-carboxylic acids for stabilization of magnetic fluids

Short chain length mono-carboxylic acids (lauric and myristic acids) are used to coat magnetite nanoparticles in non-polar organic liquids, which results in highly stable magnetic fluids. The new fluids are compared with classical organic fluids stabilized by oleic acid (OA). Magnetic granulometry and small-angle neutron scattering (polarized mode) reveal a great difference in the particle size distribution function for the studied magnetic fluids, particularly a decrease in the characteristic particle radius of magnetite when lauric and myristic acids are used instead of OA.     

Effect of magnetic field and friction force on the velocity autocorrelation in two‐dimensional Yukawa liquids

The effect of an external magnetic field and gas‐induced friction on the velocity autocorrelation of the dust particles in strongly coupled two‐dimensional Yukawa liquids was investigated. The Langevin dynamics computer simulation method was used. The presence of the friction originating from the background gas leads to the disappearance of a collective oscillation mode, corresponding to the cyclotron frequency of the dust particles, and a decrease in the dominant mode.