NFYK13015U Magnetism and Magnetic Materials

Skills
The student should be able to

• describe how and why materials have magnetic moments
• describe how and why magnetic moments in materials interact
• calculate the magnetic response of a magnetic material to an external magnetic field
• describe and visualize the different types of magnetically ordered structures (ferro- antiferro- ferri-magnets)
• calculate the magnetic phase transition temperature in the mean field model
• derive an expression for magnetic excitations (spin waves)
• explain the particular magnetic properties of nanoparticles
• describe the principles in a series of magnetic measurement techniques including magnetization, susceptibility, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and neutron scattering

Knowledge
The course gives an introduction to the theory of magnetism and magnetic materials, as well as to the relevant experimental techniques which are currently used by research groups in the Copenhagen area. The course will comprise the topics:

• Magnetic moments in solids, including interactions between moments
• Magnetic order: ferro-, ferri-, and antiferro-magnetism
• Magnetic excitations and phase transitions
• Magnetic materials, minerals, and nanoparticles
• Bulk magnetic measurement techniques: magnetisation and susceptibility
• Mossbauer spectroscopy
• Magnetic neutron scattering.

Competences
This course will provide the students with a background for further studies within this research field, e.g. study groups in advanced magnetism or quantum devices, or a M.Sc. project.
The course will provide the students with mathematical tools that have application in range of fields within and beyond physics, in particular mean field theory as a description model for many-body problems.
In addition, the student will learn how to connect theoretical models and experimental methods.