Analysis of Magnetization Processes in Antiferromagnetic Nanoparticles in Strong Pulse Fields (Brief Review)

Abstract

We present a brief review of investigations and analysis of magnetization curves M(H) for NiO and ferrihydrite antiferromagnetic nanoparticles in external fields up to 250 kOe. For correct interpretation of magnetic properties of systems of antiferromagnetic nanoparticles, it is important to take into account the segment of M(H) dependences, which corresponds to high fields (exceeding 100 kOe). We analyze the regularities in the formation of additional magnetic subsystems in antiferromagnetically ordered nanoparticles due to the influence of size effects. These additional subsystems (the ferromagnetic subsystem associated with uncompensated magnetic moment and the subsystem of surface free spins) are estimated quantitatively. It is shown that antiferromagnetic nanoparticles with a size of 5 nm acquire the properties of “nanomagnets,” which are not inferior to those for iron-oxide ferromagnetic nanoparticles of the same size.