Analytical and experimental study of identification of Preisach-Neel-type models for magnetic nanoparticle systems

This article describes an identification methodology for a Preisach-Neel model based on a nonlinear Stoner-Wohlfarth energy barrier hypothesis. In the identification, one uses data from a set of remanent curves, the major hysteresis loop at two different temperatures below the blocking temperature and the zero-field-cooled and field-cooled magnetization curves. This identification scheme was experimentally applied to a system of Co ferrite nanoparticles with an average diameter of 3 nm. The quality of the identification procedure is analyzed and the differences between the experimental and computational results are discussed. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.