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Ferromagnetism Weiss Theory Domain Model

The document discusses Weiss theory of ferromagnetism which is based on domains of spontaneous magnetization and an exchange field. It provides equations for magnetization as a function of temperature and describes the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic regions. It also discusses the concept of domains and hysteresis in ferromagnetic materials.

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littleartz2024
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300 views10 pages

Ferromagnetism Weiss Theory Domain Model

The document discusses Weiss theory of ferromagnetism which is based on domains of spontaneous magnetization and an exchange field. It provides equations for magnetization as a function of temperature and describes the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic regions. It also discusses the concept of domains and hysteresis in ferromagnetic materials.

Uploaded by

littleartz2024
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ferromagnetism - Weiss theory

Shinoj V K

Semester 6
Ferromagnetism

Associated with presence of permanent magnetic dipoles.


magnetic moments of adjacent atoms are aligned in a particular
direction even in the absence of the applied magnetic field, hence
exhibiting a magnetic moment in the absence of a magnetic field.
Spontaneous Magnetization: The magnetization existing in a
ferromagnetic material in the absence of an applied magnetic field.
Above Curie temperature, the thermal effects offset the spin
alignment and the ferromagnetic substance becomes paramagnetic.
Examples: Fe, Ni, Co, Gd, MnBi, MnAs, etc.

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Weiss theory of ferromagnetism

Based on two hypotheses:


A specimen of ferromagnetic material contains a number of small
regions called domains which are spontaneously magnetized. The
magnitude of spontaneous magnetization of the specimen as a whole
is determined by the vector sum of the magnetic moments of
individual domains.
The spontaneous magnetization of each domain is due to the
presence of an exchange field BE called the Weiss field or molecular
field which tends to produce a parallel alignment of the atomic
dipoles. The field BE is assumed to be proportional to magnetization
M of each domain B = λM where λ is a constant called the
Weiss-field constant and is independent of temperature.

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Effecitve magnetic moment on an atom or ion is:

Beff = B + BE = B + λM

In order to develop theory of ferromagnetism, quantum theory of


magnetization will be used.

Consider a ferromagnetic solid containing N atoms per unit volume each


having a total angular momentum quantum number J. From the quantum
theory of paramagnetism, the expression for magnetization is:

M = NgJµB BJ (x)

where  
2J + 1 2J + 1 1 x 
BJ (x) = coth x− coth
2J 2J 2J 2J

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gJµB Beff gJµB
x= = (B + λM)
kT kT
In case of spontaneous magnetization, B = 0 and
gJµB λM xkT
x= OR M(T ) =
kT λgJµB

As T → 0 or x → ∞ BJ (x) → 1; the magnetic moments align themselves


parallel to the field and the magnetization M becomes the saturation
magnetization Ms (0).
Ms (0) = NgJµB
Thuse we get,
M(T ) xkT
=
Ms (0) λNg 2 J 2 µ2B
Also we have,
M(T )
= BJ (x)
Ms (0)

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The magnetization at a given temperature can be obtained by solving the
above two equations simultaneously.

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Paramagnetic region
For T > TC , the spontaneous magnetization is zero and an external field
will have to be applied to produce some magnetization.
 
J +1 1 x
In such a state, x  1, BJ (x) ≈ x cothx ≈ +
3J x 3
Hence
x gJµB (B + λM)
M = Ng µB (J + 1) where x=
3 kT
Thus
Ng 2 µ2B J(J + 1)
M= (B + λM)
3kT
λNg 2 µ2B J(J + 1) Ng 2 µ2B J(J + 1)B
 
M 1− =
3kT 3kT
λNg 2 µ2B J(J + 1) µ0 TC
which gives on substituting TC = and C = ,
3k λ
M C
χ= = Curie − Weiss Law
H T − TC
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Concept of Domains & Hysteresis

Ferromagnetic material generally does not exhibit a net magnetization


unless it is placed in an external field.
According to Weiss’ concept of ferromagnetic domains, a single
crystal of a ferromagnetic solid is divided into a number of small
regions called domains each one of which is spontaneously
magnetized by the exchange field.
The magnetization vectors of different domains are, however,
randomly oriented so that no net magnetization is produced in the
material as a whole.
In the presence of an external magnetic field, the domains pointing in
the direction of the field grow at the expense of those pointing in
other directions, thereby resulting in some non-zero magnetization in
the material.

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Magnetization processes

The magnetization produced in a ferromagnetic solid in the presence of an


external magnetic field may be attributed to:
growth in the size of the domains having favourable orientation with
respect to the applied field at the expense of those having
unfavourable orientation, and
rotation of the directions of magnetization of various domains along
the field direction.

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Explanation of hysteresis

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