Néelova

Néelova is a term used in magnetism to describe a specific type of magnetic ordering in certain materials. It is named after the French physicist Louis Néel, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1970 for his work on antiferromagnetism and ferrimagnetism. Néelova refers to the arrangement of magnetic moments within a material where, in the absence of an external magnetic field, the net magnetic moment is zero. This occurs when the magnetic moments of adjacent atoms align in opposite directions with equal strength.

This arrangement is distinct from ferromagnetism, where magnetic moments align parallel, resulting in a strong net magnetic moment. It also differs from antiferromagnetism, where moments align antiparallel but with unequal strengths, leading to a net magnetic moment. Néelova describes the ideal scenario where the cancellation is perfect. Materials exhibiting this property are known as Néel-type materials and are often characterized by their high Néel temperature, above which they lose their ordered magnetic structure and become paramagnetic. The study of Néelova phenomena is crucial for understanding magnetic properties and developing new magnetic materials for various technological applications, including data storage and sensors.