antiferromágneses

Antiferromagnetic is a term used in physics to describe a type of magnetic ordering in materials. In an antiferromagnetic substance, the magnetic moments of adjacent atoms or molecules align in an antiparallel fashion. This means that for every magnetic moment pointing in one direction, there is an equal and opposite magnetic moment pointing in the opposite direction. This antiparallel alignment is typically caused by exchange interactions between neighboring spins.

Unlike ferromagnetic materials, where magnetic moments align parallel to each other resulting in a net macroscopic magnetization, antiferromagnetic materials exhibit a cancellation of these magnetic moments. Consequently, bulk antiferromagnets do not typically display a net magnetic moment at temperatures below their Néel temperature. The Néel temperature is the critical temperature above which the thermal energy is sufficient to overcome the exchange interactions, and the material transitions to a paramagnetic state.

The magnetic structure of an antiferromagnet can be described by considering two or more interpenetrating sublattices, each with a spontaneous magnetization, but with the magnetizations of the sublattices pointing in opposite directions. This results in a zero net magnetic moment for the entire crystal. Examples of antiferromagnetic materials include chromium, manganese oxide, and iron(II) oxide. Antiferromagnetic materials have applications in various technologies, including magnetic sensors and spintronic devices, due to their unique magnetic properties and the ability to control their magnetic order.