The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

First-order reversal curve diagrams: a new tool for characterizing the magnetic properties of natural samples

First-order reversal curve diagrams: a new tool for characterizing the magnetic properties of natural samples
First-order reversal curve diagrams: a new tool for characterizing the magnetic properties of natural samples
Paleomagnetic and environmental magnetic studies are commonly conducted on samples containing mixtures of magnetic minerals and/or grain sizes. Major hysteresis loops are routinely used to provide information about variations in magnetic mineralogy and grain size. Standard hysteresis parameters, however, provide a measure of the bulk magnetic properties, rather than enabling discrimination between the magnetic components that contribute to the magnetization of a sample. By contrast, first-order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams, which we describe here, can be used to identify and discriminate between the different components in a mixed magnetic mineral assemblage. We use magnetization data from a class of partial hysteresis curves known as first-order reversal curves (FORCs) and transform the data into contour plots (FORC diagrams) of a two-dimensional distribution function. The FORC distribution provides information about particle switching fields and local interaction fields for the assemblage of magnetic particles within a sample. Superparamagnetic, single-domain, and multidomain grains, as well as magnetostatic interactions, all produce characteristic and distinct manifestations on a FORC diagram. Our results indicate that FORC diagrams can be used to characterize a wide range of natural samples and that they provide more detailed information about the magnetic particles in a sample than standard interpretational schemes which employ hysteresis data. It will be necessary to further develop the technique to enable a more quantitative interpretation of magnetic assemblages; however, even qualitative interpretation of FORC diagrams removes many of the ambiguities that are inherent to hysteresis data.
0148-0227
28461-28475
Roberts, A.P.
4497b436-ef02-428d-a46e-65a22094ba52
Pike, C.R.
a04aa087-b7b8-483b-9c2d-36c748a8c2c3
Verosub, K.L.
71b9c710-71e8-4579-b6c8-5f19c5b1f8f3
Roberts, A.P.
4497b436-ef02-428d-a46e-65a22094ba52
Pike, C.R.
a04aa087-b7b8-483b-9c2d-36c748a8c2c3
Verosub, K.L.
71b9c710-71e8-4579-b6c8-5f19c5b1f8f3

Roberts, A.P., Pike, C.R. and Verosub, K.L. (2000) First-order reversal curve diagrams: a new tool for characterizing the magnetic properties of natural samples. Journal of Geophysical Research, 105 (B12), 28461-28475. (doi:10.1029/2000JB900326).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Paleomagnetic and environmental magnetic studies are commonly conducted on samples containing mixtures of magnetic minerals and/or grain sizes. Major hysteresis loops are routinely used to provide information about variations in magnetic mineralogy and grain size. Standard hysteresis parameters, however, provide a measure of the bulk magnetic properties, rather than enabling discrimination between the magnetic components that contribute to the magnetization of a sample. By contrast, first-order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams, which we describe here, can be used to identify and discriminate between the different components in a mixed magnetic mineral assemblage. We use magnetization data from a class of partial hysteresis curves known as first-order reversal curves (FORCs) and transform the data into contour plots (FORC diagrams) of a two-dimensional distribution function. The FORC distribution provides information about particle switching fields and local interaction fields for the assemblage of magnetic particles within a sample. Superparamagnetic, single-domain, and multidomain grains, as well as magnetostatic interactions, all produce characteristic and distinct manifestations on a FORC diagram. Our results indicate that FORC diagrams can be used to characterize a wide range of natural samples and that they provide more detailed information about the magnetic particles in a sample than standard interpretational schemes which employ hysteresis data. It will be necessary to further develop the technique to enable a more quantitative interpretation of magnetic assemblages; however, even qualitative interpretation of FORC diagrams removes many of the ambiguities that are inherent to hysteresis data.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: 2000

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 1269
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/1269
ISSN: 0148-0227
PURE UUID: 332bf1a3-ebf3-4dbf-be45-bffbeeb900bb

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 07 Apr 2004
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 04:42

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: A.P. Roberts
Author: C.R. Pike
Author: K.L. Verosub

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×