Magnetization directions of individual nanoparticles

The magnetization directions of individual monodomain nanoparticles as small as 5 nanometers in diameter are determined using the Foucault method of Lorentz microscopy. A model is developed to explain the images and diffraction patterns of samarium cobalt nanoparticles as a function of the aperture shift direction. Thermally induced changes in the magnetization direction of superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles were observed but with a much slower rate than expected, due to surface anisotropy. When the time scale for magnetization reversal is much shorter than the data acquisition time, as in carbon-coated iron cobalt alloy nanoparticles, the images show an average of such thermally induced changes.