Perspectives in magnetics: Italy

A review is given of fundamental research in magnetics pursued in Italian universities and laboratories of Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche. The main topics covered are in the field of soft materials, hard materials and garnets. The electronic structure of metals is investigated by polarized neutron diffraction, while studies of domain wall motion provide the basis for fully understanding power loss processes and mechanisms. Work on amorphous magnetism has focused in particular on the study of short range order in these materials. Most fundamental research on hard materials is directed toward permanent magnet applications, microwave devices and magnetic recording. Magnetization processes are a major subject of investigation in these materials, with applications both to hexagonal ferrites and rare earth-3d metal compounds. The crystal chemistry of garnets is being pursued by carrying out a variety of metal substitutions and studying site occupancies and valence states in both bulk materials and LPE films. The static and dynamic properties of domains are also investigated for display and memory applications in addition to microwave properties and materials.