On the magnetization process and the associated probability in anisotropic cubic crystals

Abstract We present a theoretical method to calculate specific magnetic properties, e.g. magnetization curves, magnetic susceptibility and probability landscapes along the [100], [110] and [111] crystallographic directions of a crystal of cubic symmetry. The probability landscape displays the evolution of the most probable angular orientation of the magnetization vector, for selected temperatures and magnetic fields. Our method is based on the premises of classical statistical mechanics. The energy density, used in the partition function, is the sum of magnetic anisotropy and Zeeman energies, however no other energies e.g. elastic or magnetoelastic terms are considered in the present work. Model cubic systems of diverse anisotropies are analyzed first, and subsequently material magnetic systems of cubic symmetry; namely iron, nickel and Co x Fe 100−x compounds, are discussed. We highlight a correlation between magnetization curves and the associated probability landscapes. In addition, determination of easiest axes of magnetization, using energy consideration, is done and compared with the results of the present method.