Electron spin and magnetic permeability

In summary, the conversation discusses the effect of an oscillating magnetic field on a paramagnetic material and its implications for magnetic permeability and electromagnetic wave propagation. The concept of complex permeability is also mentioned, along with its applications in electrical engineering. The question of whether the unpaired electrons' spin would be altered by the same frequency is raised, with the possibility of dealing with probabilistic functions in classical electromagnetism. The conversation ends with a question about the potential reflection caused by high-frequency oscillations.
  • #1
wospin
2
0
Well,
This is my first post, I used to read topics here, time to make one!

Consider we have an oscillating magnetic field acting on a paramagnetic material, would this cause the unpaired electrons to alter their spin with the same frequency ?
If so, would this affect the magnetic permeability ?
in other words would it affect EM waves propagating through this medium ?
And what are the equations describing this effect?
 
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  • #2
Magnetic permeability is not constant but rather changes with frequency, this is called complex permeability, it has some applications in electrical engineering.

as for the equations you can find here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permeability_(electromagnetism )

I don't think that the spin will be altered by the same frequency, electrons tend to change their polarity rather than spin, i think spin is indeterminate in QM, so you'll be dealing with probabilistic functions, something that is not representable in classical electromagnetism.
 
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  • #3
So, if the frequency of the magnetic field oscillation is higher than microwave frequency, would this cause reflection ?
 

1. What is electron spin?

Electron spin is a fundamental property of electrons, which is related to their intrinsic angular momentum. It is a quantum mechanical property that can have two possible values: "spin up" or "spin down".

2. How does electron spin affect magnetic permeability?

The spin of an electron contributes to the magnetic moment of an atom, which in turn affects the magnetic permeability of a material. The alignment of electron spins determines the overall magnetic properties of a material.

3. What is the difference between paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials?

Paramagnetic materials are those that have unpaired electrons with parallel spins, which align with an external magnetic field and increase the overall magnetic moment of the material. Diamagnetic materials have all their electrons paired with opposite spins, causing them to be weakly repelled by a magnetic field.

4. Can the spin of an electron be changed?

Yes, the spin of an electron can be changed through interactions with other particles or through external magnetic fields. However, the spin itself is a fundamental property and cannot be altered by any physical or chemical means.

5. What is the significance of electron spin in technology?

Electron spin plays a crucial role in many modern technologies, such as magnetic storage devices, MRI machines, and spintronics. Manipulating the spin of electrons allows for the control and storage of information, making it an essential aspect of information technology.

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