15.5 Magnetic Domains and the Hysteresis Curve
15.5.1 Magnetic Domains
In the foregoing discussion of ferromagnetism, it was concluded that the
material behaves parmagnetically above some temperature TC, with M
being proportional to H (or B), but that below a critical temperature spontaneous
magnetization occurs. However, in the experiment described at the
beginning of this chapter, it was explicitly stated that a virgin slab of
magnetic material had a zero net magnetization. At face value, these two
statements appear to contradict each other. The way out of this apparent
dilemma is to appreciate that spontaneous magnetization occurs only
within small regions (« 10-5m) within a solid. These are called magnetic
domains, defined as regions where all the spins are pointing in the same direction.
As discussed in greater detail below, these domains form in order to
reduce the overall energy of the system and are separated from one another
by domain or Bloch walls, which are high-energy areas,272 defined as a transition
layer that separates adjacent regions magnetized in different directions
(Fig. 15.6d). The presence of the domain walls and their mobility, both
reversibly and irreversibly, are directly responsible for the B-H hysteresis
loops discussed below.
The reason magnetic domains form is best understood by referring to
Fig. 15.6a to c. The single domain configuration (Fig. 15.6a) is a highenergy
configuration because the magnetic field has to exit the crystal and
close back on itself. By forming domains that close on themselves, as
shown in Fig. 15.5b and c, the net macroscopic field is zero and the system
has a lower energy. However, this reduction in energy is partially offset by
272 The situation is not unlike grain boundaries in a polycrystalline material, with the important
distinction that whereas a polycrystalline solid will always attempt to eliminate these areas of
excess energy, in a magnetic material an equilibrium is established.
526 Fundamentals of Ceramics
the creation of domain walls. For instance, the structure of a 180° domain
wall is shown schematically in Fig. 15.6d. Some of the energy is also offset
by the anisotropy energy, which is connected with the energy difference
that arises when the crystal is magnetized in different directions. As noted
below, the energy to magnetize a solid is a function of crystallographic
direction — there are "easy" and "difficult" directions.
15.5 Magnetic Domains and the Hysteresis Curve
15.5.1 Magnetic Domains
In the foregoing discussion of ferromagnetism, it was concluded that the
material behaves parmagnetically above some temperature TC, with M
being proportional to H (or B), but that below a critical temperature spontaneous
magnetization occurs. However, in the experiment described at the
beginning of this chapter, it was explicitly stated that a virgin slab of
magnetic material had a zero net magnetization. At face value, these two
statements appear to contradict each other. The way out of this apparent
dilemma is to appreciate that spontaneous magnetization occurs only
within small regions (« 10-5m) within a solid. These are called magnetic
domains, defined as regions where all the spins are pointing in the same direction.
As discussed in greater detail below, these domains form in order to
reduce the overall energy of the system and are separated from one another
by domain or Bloch walls, which are high-energy areas,272 defined as a transition
layer that separates adjacent regions magnetized in different directions
(Fig. 15.6d). The presence of the domain walls and their mobility, both
reversibly and irreversibly, are directly responsible for the B-H hysteresis
loops discussed below.
The reason magnetic domains form is best understood by referring to
Fig. 15.6a to c. The single domain configuration (Fig. 15.6a) is a highenergy
configuration because the magnetic field has to exit the crystal and
close back on itself. By forming domains that close on themselves, as
shown in Fig. 15.5b and c, the net macroscopic field is zero and the system
has a lower energy. However, this reduction in energy is partially offset by
272 The situation is not unlike grain boundaries in a polycrystalline material, with the important
distinction that whereas a polycrystalline solid will always attempt to eliminate these areas of
excess energy, in a magnetic material an equilibrium is established.
526 Fundamentals of Ceramics
the creation of domain walls. For instance, the structure of a 180° domain
wall is shown schematically in Fig. 15.6d. Some of the energy is also offset
by the anisotropy energy, which is connected with the energy difference
that arises when the crystal is magnetized in different directions. As noted
below, the energy to magnetize a solid is a function of crystallographic
direction — there are "easy" and "difficult" directions.
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