Magnetic-field-dependent small-angle neutron scattering on random anisotropy ferromagnets

in Reports on Progress in Physics (2008), 71(6), 0665011-06650137

We report on the recently developed technique of magnetic-field-dependent small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), with attention to bulk ferromagnets exhibiting random magnetic anisotropy. In these ... [more ▼]

We report on the recently developed technique of magnetic-field-dependent small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), with attention to bulk ferromagnets exhibiting random magnetic anisotropy. In these materials, the various magnetic anisotropy fields (magnetocrystalline, magnetoelastic, and/or magnetostatic in origin) perturb the perfectly parallel spin alignment of the idealized ferromagnetic state. By varying the applied magnetic field, one can control one of the ordering terms which competes with the above-mentioned perturbing fields. Experiments which explore the ensuing reaction of the magnetization will therefore provide information not only on the field-dependent spin structure but, importantly, on the underlying magnetic interaction terms. This strategy, which underlies conventional studies of hysteresis loops in magnetometry, is here combined with magnetic SANS. While magnetometry generally records only a single scalar quantity, the integral magnetization, SANS provides access to a vastly richer data set, the Fourier spectrum of the response of the spin system as a function of the magnitude and orientation of the wave vector. The required data-analysis procedures have recently been established, and experiments on a number of magnetic materials, mostly nanocrystalline or nanocomposite metals, have been reported. Here, we summarize the theory of magnetic-field-dependent SANS along with the underlying description of random anisotropy magnets by micromagnetic theory. We review experiments which have explored the magnetic interaction parameters, the value of the exchange-stiffness constant as well as the Fourier components of the magnetic anisotropy field and of the magnetostatic stray field. A model-independent approach, based on the experimental autocorrelation function of the spin misalignment, provides access to the characteristic length of the spin misalignment. The field dependence of this quantity is in quantitative agreement with the predictions of micromagnetic theory. Experiments on nanocomposite ferromagnets reveal that the jump of the magnetization at internal phase boundaries leads to a significant magnetostatic perturbing field, with an unusual 'clover-leaf' SANS pattern as the experimental signature. Furthermore, SANS experiments have been used to monitor the orientation of magnetic domains as well as the length scale of intradomain spin misalignment. [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 ▲]

A neutron-scattering investigation of the magnetic structure and magnetic excitations in nanocrystalline Tb

in Journal of Applied Physics (2006), 99(8), 5021-5023

The magnetic structure and magnetic excitations in nanocrystalline Tb have been investigated by neutron diffraction and neutron spectroscopy. This is a report on the long-range magnetic order and the ... [more ▼]

The magnetic structure and magnetic excitations in nanocrystalline Tb have been investigated by neutron diffraction and neutron spectroscopy. This is a report on the long-range magnetic order and the magnetic excitations in a nanocrystalline elemental rare earth. Refinement of the neutron-diffraction data reveals an “average” magnetic structure of each crystallite which contains a significant out-of-plane component to the magnetic moment as well as a suppression of the high-temperature antiferromagnetic phase observed for coarse-grained Tb. The inelastic-neutron-scattering measurements reveal the presence of a magnetic excitation of approximately 10 meV at 2.5 K. The excitation energy decreases with increasing temperature. The origins of this excitation are discussed with particular reference to the magnetic modes at the zone center observed for single-crystal Tb. [less ▲]

Neutron scattering and modeling of dipole-field-induced spin disorder in Nanoperm

in Applied Physics Letters (2005), 87

We present magnetic-field-dependent small-angle neutron scattering data for the ferromagnetic nanocomposite Nanoperm (Fe89Zr7B3Cu1). The spin-misalignment scattering in the approach-to-saturation regime ... [more ▼]

We present magnetic-field-dependent small-angle neutron scattering data for the ferromagnetic nanocomposite Nanoperm (Fe89Zr7B3Cu1). The spin-misalignment scattering in the approach-to-saturation regime unexpectedly reveals pronounced lobes of high intensity at angles ±30−40° relative to the magnetic-field axis. Based on numerical calculations, the four-fold angular symmetry of the scattering pattern can be explained in terms of local spin misalignment, which originates from dipolar stray fields due to the mismatch of the saturation-magnetization values between the bcc Fe particles and the amorphous magnetic matrix. [less ▲]

Neutronen sehen Spinorientierung auf Nanoskala

in Physik in unserer Zeit (2004), 35

Die attraktiven magnetischen Eigenschaften nanokristalliner Weichmagnete werden darauf zurückgeführt, dass bei geringer Kristallitgröße die Orientierung der Spins den Sprüngen in den magnetisch leichten ... [more ▼]

Die attraktiven magnetischen Eigenschaften nanokristalliner Weichmagnete werden darauf zurückgeführt, dass bei geringer Kristallitgröße die Orientierung der Spins den Sprüngen in den magnetisch leichten Richtungen von Kristallit zu Kristallit nicht mehr folgen kann. Physiker am Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe konnten jüngst diese Vorhersage mit Neutronenstreuung überprüfen. [less ▲]

Spin structure of nanocrystalline terbium

in Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (2004), 69

We present an experimental study of the magnetic microstructure in the nanocrystalline hard magnet Tb. Field-dependent small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data are analyzed quantitatively in terms of ... [more ▼]

We present an experimental study of the magnetic microstructure in the nanocrystalline hard magnet Tb. Field-dependent small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data are analyzed quantitatively in terms of the correlation function of the spin misalignment. We find that up to applied fields of several tesla the magnetization remains “locked in” to the basal planes of the hcp crystal lattice of each individual crystallite, but that the in-plane orientation of the spins is highly nonuniform within each grain. This spin disorder at the nanoscale can be suppressed by a large applied field, but in the remanent state the disorder reduces the magnetization to values considerably below the Stoner limit. In field-dependent SANS, the intragrain spin disorder gives rise to a crossover of the scattering curves, and to the unusual finding that the scattering cross section at small scattering vector increases with increasing magnetic field. As the origin of the internal spin disorder within the grains, we propose an extra magnetic anisotropy energy at small grain size, presumably due to microstrain, a suggestion which is supported by analysis of ac-susceptibility data in the paramagnetic state. Our finding of a reduced remanence at small grain size is contrary to the remanence enhancement that is observed in other nanocrystalline hard magnets. We also report an unusual logarithmic field dependence of the magnetization over wide ranges of the applied field and temperature. [less ▲]

Domain formation and long-range spin disorder in Vitroperm

in Europhysics Letters (2003), 64

We present a study of the magnetic-field dependence of the small-angle neutron scattering of the nanocrystalline soft magnet Vitroperm (Fe73Si16B7Nb3Cu1), which was treated so as to exhibit a macroscopic ... [more ▼]

We present a study of the magnetic-field dependence of the small-angle neutron scattering of the nanocrystalline soft magnet Vitroperm (Fe73Si16B7Nb3Cu1), which was treated so as to exhibit a macroscopic magnetic anisotropy. We show how the field dependences of i) the radial average of the scattering cross-section dΣ/dΩ and ii) the variation of dΣ/dΩ as a function of the orientation of the scattering vector can be analysed to supply separately information on the orientation of the net magnetisation of the domains and on the internal spin disorder within the domains. As the applied magnetic field is decreased starting from saturation, we find that two processes occur independently: the formation of a domain structure with the net magnetisation of the domains aligned along the macroscopic easy axis and the increase in magnitude of static, nanometer-scale fluctuations of the spin orientation. [less ▲]

Magnetic microstructure and properties of the nanocrystalline hard magnet terbium

in Physica Status Solidi A. Applied Research (2002), 189

We present an experimental study of the magnetic properties and magnetic microstructure in the nanocrystalline hard magnet Tb. Field-dependent small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data suggest that up to ... [more ▼]

We present an experimental study of the magnetic properties and magnetic microstructure in the nanocrystalline hard magnet Tb. Field-dependent small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data suggest that up to applied fields of several Tesla the magnetization remains locked in to the basal planes of the hcp crystal lattice of each individual crystallite; as a consequence, domain-wall movement along the basal planes is eliminated as a mechanism for magnetization reversal, and the coercive field is substantially increased. [less ▲]

Measurement of a magnetic-field dependent correlation length in nanocrystalline Ni using small-angle neutron scattering

in Physica Status Solidi A. Applied Research (2002), 189

We have analyzed magnetic-field dependent small-angle neutron scattering data on nanocrystalline electrodeposited Ni by means of the correlation function of the spin misalignment. The approach yields a ... [more ▼]

We have analyzed magnetic-field dependent small-angle neutron scattering data on nanocrystalline electrodeposited Ni by means of the correlation function of the spin misalignment. The approach yields a correlation length lC of the spin misalignment that is a measure for the characteristic dimension of regions in which the magnetic moments are misaligned coherently into a common direction. We find that lC varies strongly with the applied magnetic field Hi with values extending from about 50 nm (larger than the value for uniformly magnetized grains) at small Hi to about 10 nm (considerably smaller than the grain size) at large applied fields. [less ▲]

Comment on magnetic correlations in nanostructured ferromagnets

in Physical Review Letters (2001), 87(14), 149701-149701

A Comment on the Letter by Jörg F. Löffler, Hans Benjamin Braun, and Werner Wagner, Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 1990 (2000). The authors of the Letter offer a Reply.