Origin of Magnetism: Exchange Coupling Existence

In summary, the exchange interaction in magnetic substances is between spin magnetic moments of unpaired electrons. This results in single domains in small pieces of ferromagnetic material, but as the material size increases, domain walls form between the domains. The direction of magnetization gradually changes through these domain walls due to the exchange interaction, with changes occurring over tens of atoms.
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HUMERA.S
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does the exchange coupling exists between atoms or between domains in magnetic substances?
 
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HUMERA.S said:
does the exchange coupling exists between atoms or between domains in magnetic substances?

To my knowledge, the exchange interaction is between spin magnetic moments of unpaired electrons. As the result, any small piece ( in order of " exchange length" ) of a ferromagnetic material is a single domain as the size of the material becomes larger, other factors break the large domain in several domains. Between domains, we have thin domain walls. Through the domain wall, the magnetization ( in fact spin moments) change direction gradually from one domain to the neighboring domain. This rotation may take tens of atoms because due to the exchange interaction, sharp changes of direction of spins is not possible.
 

1. What is exchange coupling and how does it contribute to magnetism?

Exchange coupling is a quantum mechanical interaction between neighboring atoms in a material that aligns their spins, resulting in a collective magnetic behavior. This coupling arises from the exchange of electrons between atoms and contributes to the overall magnetic strength of a material.

2. How was the existence of exchange coupling first discovered?

The existence of exchange coupling was first discovered through experimental observations of the magnetic properties of materials. In the 1920s, scientists found that certain materials exhibited strong magnetic behavior even at high temperatures, indicating the presence of an underlying quantum interaction between atoms.

3. Is exchange coupling the only factor that determines the strength of a magnet?

No, exchange coupling is just one of many factors that contribute to the overall strength of a magnet. Other factors include the alignment of electron spins, the arrangement of atoms in a material, and external magnetic fields.

4. Can exchange coupling be controlled or manipulated?

Yes, exchange coupling can be controlled and manipulated through various methods such as changing the composition of a material, applying an external magnetic field, or altering the temperature. This allows for the design and development of new magnetic materials with specific properties for various applications.

5. How does exchange coupling play a role in technological applications?

Exchange coupling is essential for many technological applications, such as magnetic data storage, magnetic sensors, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It also plays a crucial role in the development of spintronics, a field that utilizes the spin of electrons for electronic devices and computing.

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