Ferrimagnetism

In physics, a ferrimagnetic material is one in which the magnetic moment of the atoms on different sublattices oppose as in antiferromagnetism but the opposing moments are unequal and a spontaneous magnetization remains. This happens when the sublattices consist of different materials or ions (such as Fe2+ and Fe3+).

Related Topics:
Physics - Antiferromagnetism

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Ferrimagnetic materials show no magnetic order above the Neel temperature like antiferromagnets and can hold a spontaneous magnetization below it like ferromagnets. However, there is sometimes a temperature below the Neel temperature at which the two sublattices have equal moments, resulting in a net moment of zero, called the compensation point.

Related Topics:
Neel temperature - Antiferromagnets - Ferromagnets

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The oldest magnetic substance known is the ferrimagnet, magnetite, and it is among the materials that were classified as ferromagnets before Neel's discovery of ferrimagnetism and antiferromagnetism.

Related Topics:
Magnetite - Neel

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