Characteristic times of relaxation peaks of magnetic fluids

The use of the Fokker–Planck equation in theoretical studies of relaxation processes in single-domain particle systems is a well-established technique. However this method has a particular disadvantage in that it can give analytical results solely in some limiting cases. An alternative method, which avoids this difficulty, is that of the use of the integral relaxation time, τ_int, which is presented in this work.     

Conductance through strongly interacting rings in a magnetic field

We study the conductance through finite Aharonov-Bohm rings of interacting electrons weakly coupled to non-interacting leads at two arbitrary sites. This model can describe an array of quantum dots with a large charging energy compared to the interdot overlap. As a consequence of the spin-charge separation, which occurs in these highly correlated systems, the transmittance is shown to present pronounced dips for particular values of the magnetic flux piercing the ring. We analyze this effect by numerical and analytical means and show that the zero-temperature equilibrium conductance in fact presents these striking features which could be observed experimentally.     

Comparative study of iron-containing haematinics from the point of view of their magnetic properties

The dynamic magnetic susceptibility of several haematinics in which iron is present as antiferromagnetic salts or iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles has been measured. Among other parameters, the temperature dependence of the AC susceptibility of each compound acts as a fingerprint that informs about microstructural aspects of the presence of iron. The physicochemical characterisation of these compounds is of great relevance with respect to their bioavailability in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia.     

High-frequency magnetic properties and attenuation characteristics for barium ferrite composites

High-frequency magnetic properties and attenuation characteristics for barium-ferrite/epoxy composites have been studied. The methods for increasing μ′ and μ″ and controlling f_R, including ion substitution, doping of small amount of oxides, effect of damping, as well as the modification of particle sizes and shapes, are introduced. The results show that the composites are potential candidates for use as electromagnetic (EM) attenuation materials with low reflectivity and broad bandwidth at 2-18 GHz.     

Rapid magnetization reversal in magnetic small particles induced by non-static bias field

Magnetization reversal processes by a switching field in single-domain nano-sized magnetic particles in the presence of a small transverse non-static bias field are studied. Applying an oscillating bias field instead of a static field, the reversal time becomes much shorter when the switching field is slightly stronger than the effective anisotropy field. A pulsed bias field of a suitably chosen duration in the nanosecond scale is found to induce a rapid switching, even when the switching field is smaller than the anisotropy field. The dependence of the reversal time on the frequency of an oscillating bias field and the duration of a pulsed bias field are studied. The present work thus complement the earlier studies on switching in the presence of a static bias field.     

Microwave specific loss power of magnetic fluids subjected to a static magnetic field

This paper reports on the frequency dependence of the magnetic and electric power dissipation in a magnetic fluid sample, in the microwave frequency range (0.5 to 8GHz), at various values of the static magnetic field (0 to 167.8kA/m). The computation of the power dissipation relies on the experimental values measured for the complex dielectric permittivity, ɛ = ɛ′ - iɛ″, and the complex magnetic permeability, μ = μ′ - iμ″, over the same frequency range. The results show that the magnetic power dissipation is much larger than the electric one for the investigated sample. At a specific frequency, f (Hz) , the power dissipation, p, depends on the external magnetic field, and exhibits a maximum. The result obtained suggests the possibility of controlling the energy absorption in the microwave range by means of the application of an external magnetic field.     

The magneto-optical Barnett effect: Circularly polarized light induced femtosecond magnetization reversal

Magnetization reversal by a femtosecond circularly polarized laser pulse has been recently demonstrated in rare-earth doped transition metals (RE-TM). The switching mechanism has been attributed to an inverse Faraday effect and thermal effects. Based on the parameters provided in the experimental work, we show that this claim is unlikely to give rise to femtosecond reversal. Using a hybrid itinerant-localized picture of the RE-TM system, we propose a new mechanism that requires the presence of the rare earth element to reduce the symmetry of the system as well as a strong enhancement of spin-orbit coupling between the d electrons and the f moments in the presence of the laser. Our model does not require the heating close to the Curie temperature of the sample.     

The effect of B2O3 addition to the microstructure and magnetic properties of Ni0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 ferrite

The effects of 0.01 and 0.1 mol B₂O₃ addition to the microstructure and magnetic properties of a Ni–Zn ferrite composition expressed by a molecular formula of Ni_0.4Zn_0.6Fe₂O₄ were investigated. The toroid-shaped samples prepared by pressing the milled raw materials used in the preparation of the composition were sintered in the range of 1000–1300 °C. The addition of 0.01 mol B₂O₃ increased the grain growth and densification giving rise to reduced intergranular and intragranular porosity due to liquid-phase sintering. The sintered toroid sample at 1300 °C gave the optimum magnetic properties of B_r=170 mT, H_c=0.025 kA/m and a high initial permeability value of μ_i=4000. The increment of the B₂O₃ content to 0.1 mol resulted in a pronounced grain growth and also gave rise to large porosity due to the evaporation of B₂O₃ at higher sintering temperatures. Hence, it resulted in an air-gap effect in the hysteresis curves of these samples.     

Tuning the band gap of self-assembled superparamagnetic photonic crystals in colloidal magnetic fluids using external magnetic fields

The model of tunable superparamagnetic photonic crystals self-assembled in colloidal magnetic fluids under externally applied magnetic fields is established. The mechanisms, which are in charge of the tunability of the band gaps with magnetic fields are clarified. The band structures of the triangularly-arrayed two-dimensional photonic crystals with limited heights of magnetic columns are calculated with the experimental data of structures and refractive indices in the literatures. The field-dependent properties of the first band gaps are gained for the z-odd and z-even modes, respectively. Simulation results indicate that the mid frequencies of the first band gaps of the z-odd modes can be easily tuned by the external magnetic fields, while those of the z-even modes bear relatively weak dependence on the external magnetic fields. Simultaneously, the first band gaps of both kinds of modes become wide along with the increase of the magnetic fields. The results presented in this work give a guideline for realizing the tunable photonic crystals with magnetically colloidal materials and magnetic stimuli.     

Sterically stabilized water based magnetic fluids: Synthesis,structure and properties

Magnetic fluids (MFs), prepared by chemical co-precipitation followed by double layer steric and electrostatic (combined) stabilization of magnetite nanoparticles dispersed in water, are presented. Several combinations of surfactants with different chain lengths (lauric acid (LA), myristic acid (MA), oleic acid (OA) and dodecyl-benzene-sulphonic acid (DBS)) were used, such as LA+LA, MA+MA, LA+DBS, MA+DBS, OA+DBS, OA+OA and DBS+DBS. Static light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, small angle neutron scattering, magnetic and magneto-rheological measurements revealed that MFs with MA+MA or LA+LA biocompatible double layer covered magnetite nanoparticles are the most stable colloidal systems among the investigated samples, and thus suitable for biomedical applications.     

FeSiBP bulk metallic glasses with high magnetization and excellent magnetic softness

Fe-based amorphous alloy ribbons are one of the major soft magnetic materials, because of their superior magnetic properties such as the relatively high saturation magnetization (J_s) of 1.5–1.6 T and good magnetic softness. However, the preparation of the ordinary amorphous magnetic alloys requires cooling rates higher than 10⁴ K/s due to the low glass-forming ability (GFA) and thus restricts the material outer shape. Recently, Fe-metalloid-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) containing glass-forming elements such as Al, Ga, Nb, Mo, Y and so forth have been developed. These alloys have high GFA, leading to the formation of BMG rod with diameters of mm-order. However, the glass-forming metal elements in BMGs result in a remarkable decrease in magnetization. Basically, J_s depends on Fe content; hence, high J_s requires high Fe content in the Fe-based amorphous alloys or BMGs. On the other hand, high GFA requires a large amount of glass-forming elements in the alloys, which results in lower Fe content. Therefore, in substances, the coexistence of high J_s and high GFA is difficult. Since this matter should be immensely important from academia to industry in the material field, a great deal of effort has been devoted; however, it has remained unsolved for many years. In this paper, we present a novel Fe-rich FeSiBP BMG with high J_s of 1.51 T comparable to the ordinary Fe–Si–B amorphous alloy now in practical use as well as with high GFA leading to a rod-shaped specimen of 2.5 mm in diameter, obtained by Cu-mold casting in air.     

Effects of powder flowability on the alignment degree and magnetic properties for NdFeB sintermagnets

The magnetic powders for sintered NdFeB magnets have been prepared by using the strip casting (SC), hydrogen decrepitation (HD) and jet milling (JM) techniques. The effects of powder flowability and addition of a lubricant on the alignment degree and the hard magnetic properties of sintered magnets have been studied. The results show that the main factor affecting powder flowability is the aggregation of magnetic particles for powders in a loose state, but it is the friction between the powder particles for powders that are in a compact state. The addition of a lubricant with suitable dose can slightly prevent the congregating of powders, obviously decrease the friction between the powder particles, improve the powder flowability, and increase the alignment degree, remanence and energy product density of sintered magnets. Mixing a suitable dose of lubricant and adopting rubber isostatic pressing (RIP) with a pulse magnetic field, we have succeeded in producing the sintered NdFeB magnet with high hard magnetic properties of B_r=14.57 KG, _jH_c=14.43 KOe, (BH)_max=51.3 MGOe.     

Determination of the Landau–Lifshitz damping parameter by means of complex susceptibility measurements

A new experimental method for the determination of the Landau–Lifshitz damping parameter, α$\alpha$, based on measurements of the frequency and field dependence of the complex magnetic susceptibility, χ(ω,H)=χ^′(ω,H)-iχ^″(ω,H)$\chi (\omega ,H)={\chi }^{\prime }(\omega ,H)-\mathrm{i}{\chi }^{″}(\omega ,H)$, is proposed. The method centres on evaluating the ratio of f_max/f_res, where f_res is the resonance frequency and f_max is the maximum absorption frequency at resonance, of the sample susceptibility spectra, measured in strong polarizing fields. We have investigated three magnetic fluid samples, namely sample 1, sample 2 and sample 3. Sample 1 consisted of particles of Mn_0.6Fe_0.4Fe₂O₄ dispersed in kerosene, sample 2 consisted of magnetite particles dispersed in Isopar M and sample 3 was composed of particles of Mn_0.66Zn_0.34Fe₂O₄ dispersed in Isopar M  . The results obtained for the mean damping parameter of particles within the magnetic fluid samples are as follows: 〈α(_{Mn0.6Fe0.4Fe2O4})〉=0.057$〈\alpha ({\mathrm{Mn}}_{0.6}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{0.4}{\mathrm{Fe}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_4)〉=0.057$ with the corresponding standard deviation SD=0.0104$\mathrm{SD}=0.0104$; 〈α(_Fe3O4)〉=0.1105$〈\alpha ({\mathrm{Fe}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_4)〉=0.1105$ with the corresponding standard deviation, SD=0.034$\mathrm{SD}=0.034$ and 〈α(_{Mn0.66Zn0.34Fe2O4})〉=0.096$〈\alpha ({\mathrm{Mn}}_{0.66}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{0.34}{\mathrm{Fe}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_4)〉=0.096$ with the corresponding standard deviation, SD=0.037$\mathrm{SD}=0.037$.     

From bubble to Skyrmion: Dynamic transformation mediated by a strong magnetic tip

Skyrmions in thin metallic ferromagnetic films are stable due to competition between the RKKY interaction and uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. We study static nonlinear excitations in magnetic film in the presence of strong cylindrical magnetic tip of nanometer size. We mimic the RKKY interaction by the next-nearest-neighbors ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. We demonstrate analytically and numerically dissipative transformation of a bubble created by a strong magnetic tip into a stable Skyrmion.     

Investigation of magnetic properties for oblique deposited granular films by magnetic field annealing

A series of (Fe₅₇Co₂₄Ni₄Nb₂B₁₃)_x-(SiO₂)_1−x nano-granular thin films were fabricated by magnetron sputtering with different oblique incidence angle θ and excellent soft magnetic properties are achieved. Based on the results of magnetic field anneal at different temperature T_a, it is evidenced that orientation of atomic pairs contributes to the annealing treatment, and could manipulate magnetic anisotropy. The damping coefficient α decreases with increasing angle θ and this is ascribed to the anisotropy dissipation.     

Characterization of different magnetite–cobalt nanoparticles in hydrocarbon-based magnetic fluids by means of static and dynamic magnetization measurements

Magnetic nanoparticles with different compositions (Co_xFe_3−xO₄, 0?x?0.1) were synthesized from metal salts using a coprecipitation technique to produce magnetic fluids following a peptization technique. The liquid carrier was the hydrocarbon Isopar M and the surfactant was oleic acid. The colloidal-sized ferrimagnetic nanoparticles produced were found to be superparamagnetic. Measurements of the complex magnetic susceptibility were carried out to evaluate the resonant frequency f_res, the anisotropy constant K, and anisotropy field H_A. f_res was found to be a linear function of the cobalt content of the magnetic nanoparticles over the range of cobalt content studied.     

The role of iron in the formation of the magnetic structure and related properties of La0.8Sr0.2Co1−xFexO3 (x=0.15, 0.2, 0.3)

La_0.8Sr_0.2Co_1−xFe_xO₃ (x=0.15, 0.2, 0.3) samples were studied by means of AC magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, magnetoresistance and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectrometry. Iron was found to take on a high spin 3d^5−α electronic state in each of the samples, where α refers to a partly delocalized 3d electron. The compounds were found to exhibit a spin-cluster glass transition with a common transition temperature of ∼53 K. The spin-cluster glass transition is visualized in the ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra as the slowing down of magnetic relaxation below ∼70 K, thereby showing that iron takes part in the formation of the glassy magnetic phase. The paramagnetic-like phase found at higher temperatures is identified below T_c≈195 K as being composed of weakly interacting, magnetically ordered nanosized clusters of magnetic ions in part with a magnetic moment oriented opposite to the net magnetic moment of the cluster. For each of the samples a considerable low-temperature negative magnetoresistance was found, whose magnitude in the studied range decreases with increasing iron concentration. The observed results obtained on the present compounds are qualitatively explained assuming that the absolute strengths of magnetic exchange interactions are subject to the relation ∣J_Co–Co∣<∣J_Fe–Co∣<∣J_Fe–Fe∣.     

Sum rules and figures-of-merit on the microwave permeability of nanocrystalline microwires

The microwave permeability spectra of three nanocrystalline microwires were investigated, and dynamic magnetization M_μ(F) was determined from these spectra. An experimental verification of the theoretical prediction that this quantity was lower than the saturation magnetization was carried out, and it was further shown that the theoretical result provided straightforward guidelines for the conception of high-permeability materials, including successful tradeoffs between a higher resistivity and an increased saturation magnetization. M_μ(F) was determined to be an appropriate figure-of-merit for several applications, including high-frequency noise suppressors.