ISSN:
1089-7550
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
We present an experimental study of the thermally activated switching of the magnetization of individual isolated γ-Fe2O3 particles. These particles are prolate ellipsoids ∼3000 A(ring) long and 650 A(ring) wide. The measured angular dependence of the switching field, Hs(θ), is consistent at large angles with a uniform rotation, but as θ approaches zero, other modes of reversal appear possible, and most likely the mode of reversal is curling. By measuring the probability of reversal of the moment as a function of time and applied magnetic field at T∼300 K, we found that the switching was thermally assisted, but couldn't be described by hopping over a single energy barrier. Our results indicate that the dynamics of switching are described by a complex path in the energy landscape.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.355404
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