Spin Structures of Textured and Isotropic Nd-Fe-B-Based Nanocomposites: Evidence for Correlated Crystallographic and Spin Textures

in Physical Review Applied (2017), 7

Longitudinal polarization analysis in small-angle neutron scattering

in European Physical Journal B -- Condensed Matter (2010), 76(2), 209-213

Magnetic domains and annealing-induced magnetic anisotropy in nanocrystalline soft magnetic materials

in Journal of Applied Physics (2008), 103(7), 7301-7303

The magnetic domains of nanocrystalline Fe84Nb6B10 annealed under static and rotating magnetic fields have been investigated by means of magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) microscopy in order to clarify ... [more ▼]

The magnetic domains of nanocrystalline Fe84Nb6B10 annealed under static and rotating magnetic fields have been investigated by means of magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) microscopy in order to clarify the origin of the dramatic magnetic softening brought about by rotating field annealing. The coercivity (Hc) values after static- and rotating-magnetic field annealings are 5.9 and 3.0  A/m, respectively. The MOKE image after static field annealing implies a highly coherent uniaxial anisotropy (Ku) in the sample whereas no sign of such a strong Ku is evident in the domain configuration after rotating field annealing. Our analytical solution of the random anisotropy model with additional Ku predicts that the fluctuating amplitude of the effective anisotropy (δK) in nanocrystalline Fe84Nb6B10 decreases from 20 to 11 J/m3 by removing Ku. The observed reduction of Hc may be attributed to this decrease in δK induced by rotating field annealing. [less ▲]

Temperature dependence of dipole-field scattering in Nanoperm

in Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (2007), 316(2), 448-450

We present small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data for the temperature variation of the recently observed dipole-field-induced spin-misalignment scattering in the soft magnetic nanocomposite Nanoperm ... [more ▼]

We present small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data for the temperature variation of the recently observed dipole-field-induced spin-misalignment scattering in the soft magnetic nanocomposite Nanoperm (Fe89Zr7B3Cu1). The associated clover-leaf-shaped angular anisotropy of the SANS pattern, which is due to spin disorder arising from dipolar stray fields of the iron nanoparticles, persists up to several hundred Kelvin above the decoupling point of the intergranular amorphous matrix phase. This observation, in conjunction with the q-dependence of the scattering, suggests the existence of long-range magnetic correlations between the iron particles through the paramagnetic matrix, in agreement with previous investigations. The characteristic wavelength of the dipole-field-induced spin disorder appears to be temperature independent. [less ▲]

Dipolar correlations in a nanocomposite: A neutron scattering study of Nanoperm Fe89Zr7B3Cu

in Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (2006), 74(13), 1344071-13440713

We present results for the magnetic-field, temperature, and neutron-polarization dependence of the small-angle neutron scattering intensity in the soft magnetic iron-based nanocomposite Nanoperm ... [more ▼]

We present results for the magnetic-field, temperature, and neutron-polarization dependence of the small-angle neutron scattering intensity in the soft magnetic iron-based nanocomposite Nanoperm (Fe89Zr7B3Cu). An unusual “clover-leaf-shaped” intensity distribution on the detector is attributed to the dipolar stray fields around the nanosized iron particles, which are embedded in an amorphous magnetic matrix of lesser saturation magnetization. The dipole field induces spin disorder, correlating the spin misalignment of neighboring particles and matrix over several particle spacings. The clover-leaf-shaped anisotropy is observed over a wide range of applied magnetic field and momentum transfer. It persists up to several hundred degrees Kelvin above the Curie temperature of the matrix phase, indicating that some degree of magnetic coupling persists even when the matrix is paramagnetic. [less ▲]

Dipole-field-induced spin disorder in a nanocomposite soft magnet

in Europhysics Letters (2005), 72(2), 249-255

We report on a study of a magnetic nanocomposite of the Nanoperm type (Fe89Zr7B3Cu1) by magnetic small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The understanding of the magnetic microstructure of these materials ... [more ▼]

We report on a study of a magnetic nanocomposite of the Nanoperm type (Fe89Zr7B3Cu1) by magnetic small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The understanding of the magnetic microstructure of these materials leaves much to be desired since we lack techniques capable of resolving the spin structure in the bulk with nanoscale resolution. Here, we present an analysis of the SANS signal by which one cannot only characterise the nanoscale structure of the spin system, but which allows to identify origin and structure of the perturbing field. In Nanoperm, an unusual angular anisotropy of the scattering suggests that the local spin misalignment decorates, as the most important perturbing field, dipole stray fields around the crystalline phase of the composite. [less ▲]