The PSD to MD transition of magnetite

Hysteresis parameters, H_cr, H_c, J_rs, J_s and their ratios H_cr/H_c, J_rs/J_s, have been measured for a large number of accurately prepared grain size fractions of magnetite ranging between 5 and 150 μm. For several grain size fractions, three different concentrations of magnetite are used: 100, 0.1 and 0.02 volume percentage. Most of the measurements were repeated after annealing the specimens to 600°C. Plots of the results from H_c, H_cr/H_c and J_rs/J_s versus the grain size reveal partly convex and concave curves. Concentration and annealing affect the values of the hysteresis parameters, especially for grains finer than 25 μm, but the shape of the curves remains the same. The inflection point from convex to concave for all curves occurs at 25 μm and it appears to be independent of concentration and annealing. It is therefore proposed to define the transition from PSD to MD as the inflection point of these curves.     

Alternating field characteristics of pseudo-single-domain (2–14 μm) and multidomain magnetite

We report normalized AF demagnetization curves of anhysteretic remanences (ARM's) produced by 1-, 10- and 40-Oe steady fields and of saturation isothermal remanence (IRM_s) in a suite of dispersed, unannealed magnetite powders with median sizes of 2, 4, 6, 10 and 14 μm (pseudo-single-domain or PSD size range) and 100 μm (multidomain or MD size). Interpreted in the light of the domain structure test first proposed by Lowrie and Fuller [12], the relative stability trend of curves for the 2 μm sample is of single-domain (SD) type, the 1-Oe ARM being most resistant to demagnetization followed by the 10-Oe and 40-Oe ARM's and IRM_s. For the 100-μm sample, the trend is exactly reversed and is of MD-type. In the 4–14 μm samples, hitherto undescribed transitional trends between SD-type and MD-type occur. At 6 μm, 1-Oe, 10-Oe and 40-Oe ARM's preserve an SD-type trend but for all AF's > 75 Oe, IRM_s is more resistant than any of these remanences. At 10 μm, this trend is unmistakable, and only at 14 μm do the 1-Oe, 10-Oe and 40-Oe ARM curves merge. We conclude (1) that the Lowrie-Fuller test distinguishes between small MD grains enhanced by PSD remanence and large MD grains lacking PSD remanence, rather than between SD and MD structures per se, and (2) that in the PSD transition region from 6 to 14 μm in magnetite, IRM_s changes over to MD-type relative stability around 6 μm, whereas 10-Oe and 40-Oe ARM's achieve an MD-type trend around 14 μm, in accord with the predicted field dependence of the PSD threshold size.Our theoretical interpretation assumes that the intrinsic (internal field) coercive force spectra of weak-field and strong-field remanences are identical but that the observed (external field) spectrum is shifted to lower fields as a result of the internal demagnetizing field — NJ_r of the remanence J_r. The effect is slight for weak-field J_r's but substantial for IRM_s. Since all coercivities, high as well as low, are shifted, the result of the Lowrie-Fuller test is determined simply by the shape of the intrinsic coercivity spectrum or the corresponding AF demagnetization curve. Depending on the model of self-demagnetization used, either subexponential or sublinear AF decay curves of weak-field remanence will automatically lead to an MD-type trend, whereas by either model the decay curves that characterize SD and PSD remanences (decaying slowly initially and then more rapidly) will always produce and SD-type trend.     

Determination of domain structure in igneous rocks by alternating field and other methods

AF (alternating field) demagnetization, ARM (anhysteretic remanent magnetization) and strong-field hysteresis properties of a large collection of mostly continental igneous rocks are reported here. The collection included rocks whose magnetic carriers were believed from previous work to be of one of three types: MD (multidomain); SD/PSD (single-domain/pseudo-single-domain); or a bimodal mixture of MD grains (e.g., discrete opaques) and SD/PSD material (e.g., silicate inclusions). Two series of subaerial basalts with a full range of deuteric oxidation classes included examples of all three classes of behaviour. SD/PSD rocks have relatively hard inflected AF decay curves (decay rate initially increasing, then decreasing), MD rocks have soft, exponential-like decay curves, and bimodal rocks have a combination of these characteristics. Relative hardnesses of normalized decay curves of remanences acquired in weak, intermediate and strong fields (the Lowrie-Fuller test) are also distinctively different for the three classes, and the results support the theory developed in an accompanying paper [1] that Lowrie-Fuller characteristics are an expression of the shapes of decay curves. The Lowrie-Fuller test, although its result can be expressed as a numerical parameter, is not capable of fine-scale classification of domain structure or grain size. The shape of the ARM induction curve does have a quasi-continuous variation with grain size, however. The parameter χ_ar/J_rs (initial anhysteretic susceptibility normalized to saturation remanence), which is easily measured with standard paleomagnetic instrumentation, is potentially useful for magnetic granulometry, although χ_ar itself was not diagnostic of grain size.     

Variation of the magnetic properties in a basaltic dyke with concentric cooling zones

The effects of the variation of magnetic grain size on the magnetic properties of rocks have been studied throughout a reversely magnetized basaltic dyke with concentric cooling zones.Except in a few tachylites in which the magnetic mineral is a Ti-rich titanomagnetite, in the bulk of the dyke the magnetization is carried by almost pure magnetite grains. Although the percentage p of these magnetic oxides varies slightly, the large changes in the various magnetic parameters observed across the dyke are essentially attributable to large variations in the grain size of the magnetic particles.From the outer scoria region, where the magnetic grains are a mixture of single-domain (SD) and superparamagnetic (SP) grains, to the tachylite zone with finely crystallized basaltic glass containing interacting elongated SD particles, one observes an increase of both the ratio of the saturation remanent magnetization and the saturation induced magnetization J_rs/J_is, the bulk coercive force H_c, the median destructive field MDF, the intensity of the remanent magnetization J_r, and the Koenigsberger ratio Q. In the tachylites these parameters reach unusually high values, for subaerial basalts:

$\text{〈}\text{J}{}_{\mathrm{rs}}\text{J}{}_{\mathrm{is}}\text{〉 = 0.3, 〈H}{}_{\mathrm{c}}\text{〉 = 460 O}{}_{\mathrm{e}}\text{, 〈MDF〉 = 620 O}{}_{\mathrm{e}}\text{r.m.s., 〈J}{}_{\mathrm{r}}\text{〉 = 2.7 · 10}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}\text{e.m.u. cm}{}^{\mathrm{?3}}\text{〈Q〉 = 24}$

These parameters decrease in the basalt toward the centre of the dyke where pseudo-single-domain (pseudo-SD) particles coexist together with multidomain (MD) grains. The susceptibility remains approximately constant from the inner basalt to the tachylite, but increases in the scoria up to values 10 times higher owing to the presence of SP particles. The magnetic viscosity increases also drastically toward the margin of the dyke due to an increase of the fraction of the SD particles just above the superparamagnetic threshold.     

Remanent hysteresis study of dolerite dykes

Saturation remanent hysteresis studies were carried out on numerous dolerite dyke samples from the peninsular India. These studies result in four types of remanent hysteresis curves which indicate that the magnetic material is magnetite or titanomagnetite with variable grain-size having remanent coercive forces (H _cr ) of 8 to 30 mT, requiring saturating fields (H _s ) up to 250 mT. Two extreme types of samples with (1) low coercive forces requiring high saturating fields and (2) high coercive forces requiring low saturating fields are noticed along with the generally observed ones. The Granulometric and Lowrie-Fuller Tests on these samples indicated that the magnetic material i.e., magnetite or titanomagnetite in these rocks is in the form of Multi-Domain (MD), Cation Deficient (CD) and a mixture of these two forms (MD+CD) within.     

A preliminary magnetic study of soil samples from west-central Minnesota

Various rock magnetic techniques were applied to characterize magnetically the samples of a soil profile taken from west-central Minnesota. There is a marked change in magnetic properties as a function of depth in the core. X-ray analysis and Curie temperature measurements carried out on the magnetic fractions indicate that magnetite is the dominant iron oxide in both the top soil and the subsoil. The intensity of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) decreases sharply as the depth increases. In contrast, the stability of ARM was found to be higher for the subsoil. The surface soil sample was capable of acquiring a significant amount of viscous remanent magnetization (VRM). The VRM acquisition coefficient (S_a) of the subsoil (S_{a= 3.18 × 10^?6emu g^?1, 3.18 × 10^?6A m² kg^?1}) was about ten times weaker than that of the top soil sample (S_a = 3.868 × 10^{?7emu g?1, 3.868 × 10?7A m2 kg?1}). The magnetic domain state indicator, the ratio of coercivity of remanence to coercive force, H_cr/H_c, was 1.5 and 3.85 for the top soil and subsoil, respectively. It appears that the observed variations in magnetic properties down the present soil core is due only to a difference in grain size. We conclude that the magnetic grains in surface soil samples were more single-domain (SD) like whereas the magnetite grains in the subsoil samples were more likely in pseudo-single-domain (PSD) or small multidomain (MD) range. The observed lower stability for the surface soil samples is attributed to the presence of superparamagnetic grains whose presence was confirmed by transmission electron micrographs.     

Hysteresis properties of titanomagnetites: Grain-size and compositional dependence

Sized fractions of x = 0.6, 0.4, 0.2 and 0.0 titanomagnetites were studied with a vibration magnetometer. In the course particles (d > 150 μm), no compositional dependence of hysteresis parameters was found. H_C was less than 50 Oe, H_R/H_C > 4 and J_R/J_S < 10^?2, reflecting multi-domain behaviour. In contrast, fine particles ($\text{d ? 0.1 μ}\text{m}$) revealed systematic grain-size dependence of parameters with coercive force as high as 2,000 Oe in x = 0.6 titanomagnetite. Grain-size dependence studies revealed broad transition sizes for the onset of true multi-domain behaviour depending upon which factor is chosen. In magnetite it varies from 10 to 20 μm. The experimental critical size for single-domain behaviour for magnetite is about 0.1 μm and for x = 0.6 titanomagnetite 1–2 μm.     

The role of dust source area and pedogenesis in three loess-palaeosol sections from North Bulgaria: A mineral magnetic study

Rock magnetic studies of three loess-palaeosol sections from Bulgaria (Harletz and Orsoja in the NW and Durankulak in the NE at the Black Sea coast) have been carried out. Thermomagnetic analyses of magnetic susceptibility point to magnetite as the major ferrimagnetic carrier in the loess and palaeosol units. Maghemite gives a significant contribution to the total magnetic signal in the recent soils (S₀), while in one of the sections-Orsoja-hematite may also be present. The effective magnetic grain sizes deduced from the hysteresis measurements and the ratios M_rs/M_s and B_cr/B_c fall in the pseudo single domain (PSD) range, but the data distributions in a Day diagram for the three different sections are shifted. This is suggested to be caused by different detrital input (e.g. different dust source areas) and varying degrees of pedogenic modification. The calculated background susceptibilities χ_bg differ significantly as well. The lowest value is obtained for the Durankulak section-χ_bg = 9.95 × 10⁻⁸ m³/kg, which is in accordance with the data from other studies of loess-palaeosol profiles from the Black Sea area. The corresponding background susceptibilities for the other two sections studied-Harletz and Orsoja-are significantly higher (33.1 and 17.75 × 10⁻⁸ m³/kg, respectively). Both parent material and pedogenesis are found to be responsible for the observed differences in the magnetic characteristics.     

Theoretical grain size limits for single-domain,pseudo-single-domain and multi-domain behavior in titanomagnetite (x = 0.6) as a function of low-temperature oxidation

A theoretical model of grain size variation of domain transitions in titanomagnetite (x = 0.6) as a function of oxidation (z) is presented. The superparamagnetic (SP) to single-domain (SD) transition d_s, the SD to two-domain (TD) transition d₀, the TD to three-domain (3D) transition and the pseudo-single domain (PSD) to multi-domain (MD) transition are calculated as a function of z. It is shown that all the transition grain sizes increase with z, except for the PSD-MD transition for z > 0.6. The calculations predict that d_s increases from 0.044 to 0.197 μm, d₀ increases from 0.54 to 13 μm, the TD-3D transition increases from 1.6 to 49 μm as z varies from 0 to 0.8. The PSD-MD transition increases from 42 μm at z = 0 to 150 μm at z = 0.6, whereas between z = 0.6 to z = 0.8, the PSD-MD transition decreases to 49 μm. Qualitatively, the model explains some of the trends in magnetic properties of submarine basalts with low-temperature oxidation. Quantitatively, the model does give reasonable estimates of the PSD-MD boundary and d₀, which are close to the experimental values for x = 0.6 and z = 0. Furthermore, the model predicts that psarks or two-domain grains could be the major contributors to the remanence of oxidized submarine pillow basalts.     

Magnetic characteristics of dustfall in urban area of north China and its environmental significance

Urban particulate pollutants not only affect urban air quality but also directly threaten public health. Lanzhou has been one of the most seriously polluted cities in the world due to its special geophysical location and weather conditions, which makes it an ideal place for urban particulate pollution study. In this study a set of environmental magnetic parameters (χlf, χfd%, χARM, SIRM, HIRM, SOFT and back field IRM) were measured and analyzed for the dustfall samples collected monthly during 1997.4―2000.5 and 2004.11―2005.10 at Lanzhou University campus (KLD and CCS) and at a clear site of Gaolanxian (GLX). Results demonstrate that the main magnetic minerals in the dustfall are magnetite, with some maghaemite and haematite. Cross plots of Mrs/Ms vs. Bcr/Bc and χfd% vs. χARM/SIRM indicate that the main magnetic grain sizes are pseudo-single-domain (PSD). The high concentration of magnetic min-erals in the dustfall indicates that Lanzhou is seriously polluted. The main pollution sources are an-thropogenic activities and nature dust, with the former posing a great threat during the whole year, which is different from the general view that the natural dust is the main contributor in summer. With great efforts of the government and local authority in the past decades, the air quality in Lanzhou has been improved in winter, but it is not so obvious in summer. This study also reveals that as a simple, rapid and accurate technology, environmental magnetism could be a valuable tool for urban pollution study.     

Methods for estimating Curie temperatures of titanomaghemites from experimentalJs-T data

Methods for determining the Curie temperature (T_c) of titanomaghemites from experimental saturation magnetization-temperature (J_s-T) data are reviewed.J_s-T curves for many submarine basalts and synthetic titanomaghemites are irreversible and determining Curie temperatures from these curves is not a straightforward procedure. Subsequently, differences of sometimes over 100°C in the values ofT_c may result just from the method of calculation. Two methods for determiningT_c will be discussed: (1) the graphical method, and (2) the extrapolation method. The graphical method is the most common method employed for determining Curie temperatures of submarine basalts and synthetic titanomaghemites. The extrapolation method based on the quantum mechanical and thermodynamic aspects of the temperature variation of saturation magnetization nearT_c, although not new to solid state physics, has not been used for estimating Curie temperatures of submarine basalts. The extrapolation method is more objective than the graphical method and uses the actual magnetization data in estimatingT_c.     

Domain structure of small synthetic titanomagnetite particles and experiments with IRM and TRM

Stoichiometric titanomagnetites Fe_3?xTi_xO₄ with compositions between x = 0 (magnetite) and x = 0.72 (a titanomagnetite having a Curie temperature of 60°C) have been synthesised using the double-sintering technique in controlled atmospheres. The quality of these materials was tested by various mineralogical and magnetic measurements. Isolated small multidomain (MD) and pseudo-single-domain (PSD) particles within pores of the bulk material were investigated with respect to their domain structures, and threshold sizes for the transition from the PSD to the SD stage determined for titanomagnetites of various compositions by extrapolation from the domain state of small MD grains. The threshold size was found to be 0.7 and 0.5 μm, respectively, for TM72 (x = 0.72) and TM62 (x = 0.62). The threshold size decreases slightly for smaller x values; however, the experimental data obtained to date are not sufficiently reliable to yield precise results.Preliminary experiments concerning hysteresis loops and TRM generation are also reported.     

A comparison of different magnetic methods for determining the relative grain size of magnetite in natural materials: Some results from lake sediments

A new rapid method for identifying relative grain size variations in magnetic involves the parameter anhysteretic susceptibility (χ_ARM, i.e. specific ARM obtained in a 1 Oe steady field), which is particularly sensitive to the single domain (SD) and small pseudo-single domain (PSD) grains of the finer magnetite fraction. A second parameter, low-field susceptibility (χ), is relatively more sensitive to the coarser magnetite fraction (larger PSD and smaller multidomain (MD) grains). We can then obtain a measure of the ratio of coarse- to fine-grain magnetite for large numbers of samples by plotting χ_ARversusχ. A simple idealized model based on sized magnetite samples is proposed to explain the use of the χ_ARMversusχ plot for detecting relative grain-size changes in the magnetic content of natural materials. The sediments of three lakes that contain magnetite or a similar magnetic carrier and have a wide range of values of χ_ARM and χ are used to test the model.The model is used to interpret the magnetic variations observed, and the interpretations are supported by high-field hysteresis measurements of the same sediments. The combination of the high-field hysteresis method of Day et al. [1] and the χ_ARM vs. χ method is a powerful technique allowing the rapid identification of both the relative grain size and domain state for large numbers of samples containing magnetite. The χ_ARMvs.χ method should be used as an intial means of identifying distinct groups of samples.The high-field hysteresis method should then be applied to a few representative samples from each group to confirm the initial interpretation.     

Thermomagnetic analysis of meteorites, 2. C2 chondrites

Samples of all eighteen of the known C2 chondrites have been analyzed thermomagnetically. For eleven of these, initial Fe₃O₄ content is low (generally <1%) and theJ_s-T curves are irreversible. The heating curves show variable greater (up to 10 times) than it is initially. This behavior is attributed to the production of magnetite from a thermally unstable phase — apparently FeS. Four of the remaining seven C2 chondrites contain Fe₃O₄ as the only significant magnetic phase: initial magnetite contents range from 4 to 13%. The remaining three C2 chondrites contain iron or nickel-iron in addition to Fe₃O₄. These seven C2 chondrites show little evidence of the breakdown of a thermally unstable phase.     

Magnetic properties of ultrahigh-pressure eclogites controlled by retrograde metamorphism: A case study from the ZK703 drillhole in Donghai,eastern China

Parallel studies on rock magnetic properties, petrology and mineralogy were conducted on 16 eclogite samples from the ZK703 hole and magnetic susceptibilities and densities of 41 eclogite samples with different degree of retrograde metamorphism (from fresh eclogite to fully-retrograded eclogite) from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) near the ZK703 hole, located at Donghai, southern Sulu ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt, eastern China. Results show: (1) that the high-field slopes obtained from the hysteresis loops (the paramagnetic fraction χ_para) and density have a positive correlation with the volume concentration of garnet + omphacite, a typical mineral assemblage used to semi-quantify the degree of retrograde metamorphism. The low-field slopes obtained from hysteresis loops (the ferrimagnetic susceptibility fraction χ_ferri), saturation isothermal remanent magnetization M_rs and saturation magnetization M_s have a positive correlation with the volume concentration of symplectite, a mineral related to retrograded metamorphism. Therefore they could be potential indicators for quickly semi-quantifying the degree of retrograde metamorphism of the eclogite units. (2) The dominant magnetic carriers in retrograded eclogites are magnetite particles in pseudo-single domain grain size region. (3) The P–T conditions during the retrograde (decompressional) process could first increase the concentration of magnetite, which can reach up to 3% for extensively retrograded eclogite and then was dissolved for fully-retrograded eclogite. Therefore, change in the magnetite contents during the retrograde process is the major factor controlling the magnetism of retrograde eclogites.     

Rock magnetic properties and ore microscopy of the iron ore deposit of Las Truchas, Michoacan, Mexico

Iron ore and host rocks have been sampled (90 oriented samples from 19 sites) from the Las Truchas mine, western Mexico. A broad range of magnetic parameters have been studied to characterize the samples: saturation magnetization, Curie temperature, density, susceptibility, remanence intensity, Koenigsberger ratio, and hysteresis parameters. Magnetic properties are controlled by variations in titanomagnetite content, deuteric oxidation, and hydrothermal alteration. Las Truchas deposit formed by contact metasomatism in a Mesozoic volcano-sedimentary sequence intruded by a batholith, and titanomagnetites underwent intermediate degrees of deuteric oxidation. Post-mineralization hydrothermal alteration, evidenced by pyrite, epidote, sericite, and kaolin, seems to be the major event that affected the minerals and magnetic properties. Magnetite grain sizes in iron ores range from 5 to >200 μm, which suggest dominance of multidomain (MD) states. Curie temperatures are 580±5°C, characteristic of magnetite. Hysteresis parameters indicate that most samples have MD magnetite, some samples pseudo-single domain (PSD), and just a few single domain (SD) particles. AF demagnetization and IRM acquisition indicate that NRM and laboratory remanences are carried by MD magnetite in iron ores and PSD–SD magnetite in host rocks. The Koenigsberger ratio falls in a narrow range between 0.1 and 10, indicating the significance of MD and PSD magnetites.     

Magnetic and mineralogical characteristics of hydrocarbon microseepage above oil/gas reservoirs of Tuoku region, northern Tarim Basin, China

The Tuoku region in northern Tarim Basin of China is a key area for studying oil/gas reservoir rocks. The magnetic and mineralogical parameters of well cuttings from two wells, well S₇, situated on oil/gas field, and well S₆, at an oil/water interface, were measured. The two wells are located in the same structure with similar strata and types of lithology, but well S₆ is a showing well of oil and gas 5 km northwest of well S₇. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the possibility and distribution of secondary magnetic alteration that may have occurred due to hydrocarbon migration above an oil/gas accumulation. It is concluded that the magnetism of well cuttings from major strata in well S₇, including source rocks, oil reservoir rocks and cap rocks, and in Quaternary (Q) soil is higher than that from well S₆. The Cambrian oil-bearing strata and cap rocks have even higher magnetism in well S₇. The shape and parameters of magnetic hysteresis loops indicate that soft (H _c<20 mT,H _s<0.3 T) ferrimagnetic components dominate the magnetic carriers within the strongly magnetic strata of well S₇, whereas a mixed paramagnetic and ferrimagnetic distribution occurs in well S₆ (for example, low coecivityH _c and nonsaturating magnetized character). Analysis of heavy minerals shows that the contents of iron oxide (magnetite, maghemite and hematite) in well S₇ are often higher than those in well S₆. The magnetite content in samples of cuttings from Cambrian rocks can reach 9.7% in oil-bearing strata in well S₇, and in strata Ekm and N₁j are 1.215% and1.498%, respectively. Typical spherical magnetite grains are found within the main source rocks and the soils in well S₇. By analysis of surface microtexture and of trace element contents, we infer that the spherical magnetite is composed of aggregates of ultrafine particles that are probably authigenic magnetite formed in a hydrocarbon halo background. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Geological Industry Foundation of China (Grant No. 49374216) and Foundation of the State Key Laboratory of Oil/Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation of China (Grant No. 9608).     

Study of magnetic contrasts applied to hydrocarbon exploration in the Maturín Sub-Basin (eastern Venezuela)

We have studied near-surface magnetic contrasts in nine oil wells from an oil prospective area in eastern Venezuela (compressive deformation front of the northeastern Maturín Sub-Basin). Samples are drill cuttings taken at intervals of about 15 m within approximately the first 1200 m of most of these wells. Rock magnetic experiments, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), extractable organic matter (EOM), X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are used to discriminate between two anomalies in magnetic susceptibility (MS), related to either a reducing environment caused by the underlying reservoir (Type A), or to primary lithological contrasts (Type B). Contour maps of MS, S-ratio and organic-matter-free radical concentrations (OMFRC), for the A-like depth levels, show a major central zone of anomalous high values. This area is probably associated with either maximum accumulation of hydrocarbons in the reservoir or with their southerly migration from the northern petroleum source towards the deformation front. We argue that such a result could be used, for future exploration and production ventures in the region, as a preliminary characterization of the reservoir. We also show in a Day plot, that saturation remanence — saturation magnetization ratio (M_rs/M_s) and coercivity of remanence — coercive force ratio (H_cr/H_c) stand as additional criteria to discriminate between these two types of magnetic contrasts. In fact, for the area of study, hysteresis ratios show three distinct trends corresponding to samples from A-like, B-like and non-anomalous depth levels.     

Magnetic hysteresis as a function of low temperature for deep-sea basalts containing large titanomagnetite grains-inference of domain state and controls on coercivity

Hysteresis loops to 1200 oersteds (9.55×10⁴ A m^?1) are measured between 295 K and 105 K for two deep-sea basalts (DSDP, Leg 34 and 37) containing large (～200 μm) unexsolved titanomagnetite grains. The Curie points, electron microprobe analyses and saturation magnetizations of the magnetic grains are the same as for unoxidized synthetic titanomagnetite (xFe₂TiO₄·(l ? x)Fe₃O₄) with x=0.6.As temperature is lowered from 295 to 190 K, coercive force H_c slowly rises from ～40 Oe to ～95 Oe approximately in proportion to the rise in the magnetostriction constant λ. Presumably, H_c is controlled by λ through internal stresses impeding domain wall motion. As expected of multidomain grains, the ratio of saturation remanence to saturation magnetization (in 1200 oersted cycles) j_R/j_S rises approximately in proportion to H_c, with a constant of proportionality consistent with titanomagnetite (x=0.6).As temperature is lowered from 190 to 120 K, H_c rises rapidly to ～400 Oe as a roughly linear function of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant K₁. Perhaps H_c is now controlled by K₁ through non-magnetic inclusions impeding domain wall motion.As temperature is lowered from 120 to 105 K, H_c rises even more rapidly to ～600 Oe. The control over H_c seems to have changed again, though most of the titanomagnetite is in grains large enough to still contain a few domains. The ratio j_R/j_S reaches 0.7 by 105 K and appears to be saturating towards the theoretical limit of 0.83.     

First-order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams for pseudo-single-domain magnetites at high temperature

The recently developed first-order reversal curve (FORC) technique for rapidly examining magnetic domain state has great potential for paleomagnetic and environmental magnetic investigations. However, there are still some gaps in the basic understanding of FORC diagrams, in particular the behavior of pseudo-single-domain (PSD) grains and the contribution of magnetostatic interactions. In this paper we address some of these problems. We report the first FORC diagrams measurements on narrowly sized and well-characterized synthetic PSD through multidomain (MD) magnetite samples. The FORC diagrams evolve with grain size from single-domain (SD)-like to MD-like through the PSD grain size range. Since each sample contains grains of essentially a single size, individual PSD grains evidently contain contributions from both SD-like and MD-like magnetic moments, in proportions that vary with grain size; the evolving FORC diagrams cannot be due to physical mixtures of SD and MD grains of widely different sizes. The FORC diagrams were all asymmetric. Small PSD samples have FORC diagrams with a distinctive closed-contour structure. The distributions of the larger MD grains display no peak, and lie closer to the interaction-field axis. To assess the effect of magnetostatic interactions, we measured FORC diagrams between room temperature and the Curie temperature. On heating the FORC distributions contract without changing shape until ∼500°C. Above this temperature the diagrams become more MD-like, and in addition become more symmetric. The temperature dependence of the interaction-field parameter is proportional to that of the saturation magnetization, in accordance with Néel’s interpretation of the Preisach diagram. The decrease in asymmetry with heating suggests that the origin of the asymmetry lies in magnetostatic interactions. The magnetic hysteresis parameters as a function of temperature were determined from the FORC curves. As the grain size decreased the normalized coercive force was found to decrease more rapidly with temperature.