Disorder-driven first-order phase transformations: A model for hysteresis

Journal Article · Sun May 15 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Journal of Applied Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.355522· OSTI ID:7206626

Dahmen, K; Kartha, S; Krumhansl, J A; Roberts, B W; Sethna, J P; Shore, J D ^[1]

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1. Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-2501 (United States)

Hysteresis loops in some magnetic systems are composed of small avalanches (manifesting themselves as Barkhausen pulses). Hysteresis loops in other first-order phase transitions (including some magnetic systems) often occur via one large avalanche. The transition between these two limiting cases is studied, by varying the disorder in the zero-temperature random-field Ising model. Sweeping the external field through zero at weak disorder, we get one large avalanche with small precursors and aftershocks. At strong disorder, we get a distribution of small avalanches (small Barkhausen effect). At the critical value of disorder where a macroscopic jump in the magnetization first occurs, universal power-law behavior of the magnetization and of the distribution of (Barkhausen) avalanches is found. This transition is studied by mean-field theory, perturbative expansions, and numerical simulation in three dimensions.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-88ER45364
• OSTI ID: 7206626
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (United States) Vol. 75:10; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

665000* -- Physics of Condensed Matter-- (1992-)
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CRYSTAL MODELS
HYSTERESIS
ISING MODEL
MAGNETIC MATERIALS
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEAN-FIELD THEORY
PERTURBATION THEORY
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
SIMULATION