Analysis of Magnetization Reversal Process of Nd–Fe–B Sintered Magnets by Magnetic Domain Observation Using Kerr Microscope
We used a Kerr microscope, image processing, and photo editing to clarify magnetization reversal and its propagation in a sintered Nd-Fe-B magnet. Magnetic domain change was observed when a dc field from +20 to 20 kOe was applied to a sintered Nd-Fe-B magnet. Simultaneous magnetization reversal in several grains along the easy axis direction and its propagation to neighboring grains occurred. This indicates that the nucleation field in a grain and magnetic interaction between grains are important controlling factors of the coercivity of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets.
Surface Domain Configuration of Nd-Fe-B Sintered Magnets Influenced by Underneath Magnetization
The influence of underneath magnetization of Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets on surface domain configurations was investigated using a Kerr microscope by cutting the magnets at an angle to the c-axis. When the angle formed by the surface and the c-axis is larger than 30 degrees, the observed domain configurations change to maze patterns because of an increase in the demagnetizing field at the surface. In contrast, when the cutting angle is 10 degrees, residual magnetization increases with the applied field. It was found that at a cutting angle of 10 degrees, the underneath domain configurations can be indirectly observed through the surface by propagation of magnetic flux from the underneath grains.
Pioneer 10 Observations of the Ultraviolet Glow in the Vicinity of Jupiter
A two-channel ultraviolet photometer aboard Pioneer 10 has made several observations of the ultraviolet glow in the wavelength range from 170 to 1400 angstroms in the vicinity of Jupiter. Preliminary results indicate a Jovian hydrogen (1216 angstrom) glow with a brightness of about 1000 rayleighs and a helium (584 angstrom) glow with a brightness of about 10 to 20 rayleighs. In addition, Jupiter appears to have an extensive hydrogen torus surrounding it in the orbital plane of Io. The mean diameter of the torus is about equal to the diameter of the orbit of Io. Several observations of the Galilean satellites have also occurred but only a rather striking Io observation has been analyzed to date. If the observed Io glow is predominantly that of Lyman-α, the surface brightness is about 10,000 rayleighs.