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Rare-earth magnets: properties, processing and applications

I.R. Harris,     University of Birmingham, UK

G.W. Jewell,     University of Sheffield, UK

Abstract:

This chapter considers the background to the rare-earth magnets and their applications. The intrinsic characteristics of a ferromagnet are described and, in the case of the transition metals Fe, Co and Ni, these are related to the coupling of the unpaired spins of the 3d-electrons. The combination of the 4f electron behaviour of the rare-earth metal such as Sm or Nd combined with that of the 3d-electron behaviour of the transition metal, Co or Fe, gives rise to strong spin-orbit coupling and to magneto-crystalline anisotropy, that is, a distinct easy axis of magnetisation. The ...

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