First-order reversal curve diagrams of magnetic entities with mean interaction field:: A physical analysis perspective

A new approach to the quantitative and physical analysis of first-order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams is presented. Each hysteron in the FORC method represents a magnetic cluster. Starting with a model for a ferromagnetic, isotropic, and monodomain sphere, and adding anisotropy and domain structure, three different types of "basic hysterons" are obtained: vertical reversible and irreversible, and linear. The FORC diagrams of basic hysterons with a mean interaction field were obtained by simulation. From them, the relationships between the characteristics of the hysterons and the FORC distribution function were extracted. Different sets of hysterons can lead to the same FORC distribution function. A positive mean interaction field tends to merge the hysterons on the FORC diagram, while a negative mean interaction field introduces repulsion between them. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.