AVS 58th Annual International Symposium and Exhibition
    Magnetic Interfaces and Nanostructures Division Wednesday Sessions
       Session MI-WeM

Invited Paper MI-WeM1
Fundamental Problems in Magnetism

Wednesday, November 2, 2011, 8:00 am, Room 105

Session: Fundamental Problems in Magnetism
Presenter: William Butler, The University of Alabama
Correspondent: Click to Email
In this presentation, we shall attempt to describe the fundamental magnetic properties, the physics that controls and limits them and the practical implications of possible improvement. The most important fundamental properties of magnetic materials are Curie temperature, saturation magnetization, and magnetic anisotropy. The maximum Curie temperature (Co) and maximum saturation magnetization (Fe65Co35) at room temperature have not increased in a century. We shall discuss the reasons for this and speculate on the prospects that either may be increased. The magnetic anisotropy is somewhat less refractory. We shall discuss the prospects and implications of significant increases. Although higher room temperature saturation magnetization would be very useful, there would also be interesting applications for a magnetic material with very low magnetization, but very strong spin dependence of its transport properties. There are also interesting potential applications for insulating ferromagnets.