Disappearance of long range spin-order in ultrafine magnetite particles

Ferromagnetic properties of ultrafine magnetite (Fe₃O₄) particles were examined by the ESR and the static magnetic susceptibility measurements. Ferromagnetic resonance became to be observed at the particle size larger than 3.4 nm. This finding suggests that the bulk-like ferromagnetic state cannot be formed in the particle less than 3.4 nm diameter for magnetite. Magnetic moments in such a small diameter region were also determined by the analyses of magnetization curves and were found to be smaller than those expected from the particle size. These findings from ESR and magnetization are discussed to clarify the nature of spin-ordering in a finite size sample.