Scientists find metallic magnet with largest yet atomic displacement during thermal expansion
Friday, July 30, 2010 - 07:21
in Physics & Chemistry
(PhysOrg.com) -- Although most materials change shape in the presence of a magnetic field, the change is usually very small. In a new study, scientists have found that a certain magnet containing manganese experiences a change in the distance between two neighboring atoms of up to 2%, which is the largest ever found in a metallic magnet. Magnets with large magnetoelastic interactions - the mechanism that causes this change - play a crucial role in new materials that could be used in applications from sensors to refrigerants.