Small-angle neutron scattering investigations of magnetic nanostructures and interfaces using polarized neutrons

Using polarized neutrons, the relative contrasts for small-angle scattering are strongly modified which allows a precise evaluation of magnetization, density and composition profiles at surfaces and interfaces of nanoscaled m aterials. in Co ferrofluids, the magnetic core behaves as a non-interacting single domain. The core is encapsulated by a shell of surfactant molecules which was found to be impenetrable for the solvent. In soft magnetic Fe-Si -B-(Nb,Cu) and Fe-Nb-B alloys, the presence of a weak magnetic interface be tween ferromagnetic nanocrystals and amorphous matrix has been demonstrated which breaks the exchange interactions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.