Ferromagnetism is a form of magnetism that can be acquired in an external magnetic field and usually retained in its absence, so that ferromagnetic materials are used to make permanent magnets. A ferromagnetic material may therefore be said to have a high magnetic permeability and susceptibility (which depends upon temperature). Examples are iron, cobalt, nickel, and their alloys. Ultimately, ferromagnetism is caused by spinning electrons in the atoms of the material, which act as tiny weak magnets. They align parallel to each other within small regions of the material to form domains, or areas of stronger magnetism. In an unmagnetised material, the domains are aligned at random so there is no overall magnetic effect. If a magnetic field is applied to that material, the domains align to point in the same direction, producing a strong overall magnetic effect. Permanent magnetism arises if the domains remain aligned after the external field is removed. Ferromagnetic materials exhibit hysteresis. In 2004, it was discovered that a certain allotrope of carbon, nanofoam, exhibited ferromagnetism. The effect dissipates after a few hours at room temperature, but lasts longer at cold temperatures. The material is also a semiconductor. It is thought that other similarly formed materials, of boron and nitrogen, may also be ferromagnetic. This new book rings together leading research from throughout the world.

This book covers both basic physics of ferromagnetism, such as magnetic moment, exchange coupling, magnetic anisotropy, and recent progress in advanced ferromagnetic materials. Special focus is placed on NdFeB permanent magnets and the materials studied in the field of spintronics (explaining the development of tunnel magnetoresistance effect through the so-called giant magnetoresistance effect).

Recent developments in electronic structure theory have led to a new understanding of magnetic materials at the microscopic level. This enables a truly first-principles approach to investigations of technologically important magnetic materials. Among the advances treated here have been practical schemes for handling non-collinear magnetic systems, including relativity, and an understanding of the origins and role of orbital magnetism within band structure formalisms. This book provides deep theoretical insight into magnetism, mahneatic materials, and magnetic systems. It covers these recent developments with review articles by some of the main originators of these developments.

The present book is the second edition of Amikam Aharoni's Introduction to the Theory of Ferromagnetism, based on a popular lecture course. Like its predecessor, it serves a two-fold purpose: First, it is a textbook for first-year graduate and advanced undergraduate students in both physics and engineering. Second, it explains the basic theoretical principles on which the work is based for practising engineers and experimental physicists who work in the field of magnetism, thus also serving to a certain extent as a reference book. For both professionals and students the emphasis is on introducing the foundations of the different subfields, highlighting the direction and tendency of the most recent research. For this new edition, the author has thoroughly updated the material especially of chapters 9 ('The Nucleation Problem') and 11 ('Numerical Micromagnetics'), which now contain the state of the art required by students and professionals who work on advanced topics of ferromagnetism. From reviews on the 1/e: '... a much needed, thorough introduction and guide to the literature. It is full of wisdom and commentary. Even more, it is Amikam Aharoni at his best - telling a story... He is fun to read... The extensive references provide an advanced review of micromagnetics and supply sources for suitable exercises... there is much for the student to do with the guidance provided by Introduction to the Theory of Ferromagnetism.' A. Arrott, Physics Today, September 1997

Superconductivity is the ability of certain materials to conduct electrical current with no resistance and extremely low losses. High temperature superconductors, such as La2-xSrxCuOx (Tc=40K) and YBa2Cu3O7-x (Tc=90K), were discovered in 1987 and have been actively studied since. In spite of an intense, world-wide, research effort during this time, a complete understanding of the copper oxide (cuprate) materials is still lacking. Many fundamental questions are unanswered, particularly the mechanism by which high-Tc superconductivity occurs. More broadly, the cuprates are in a class of solids with strong electron-electron interactions. An understanding of such "strongly correlated" solids is perhaps the major unsolved problem of condensed matter physics with over ten thousand researchers working on this topic. High-Tc superconductors also have significant potential for applications in technologies ranging from electric power generation and transmission to digital electronics. This ability to carry large amounts of current can be applied to electric power devices such as motors and generators, and to electricity transmission in power lines. For example, superconductors can carry as much as 100 times the amount of electricity of ordinary copper or aluminium wires of the same size. Many universities, research institutes and companies are working to develop high-Tc superconductivity applications and considerable progress has been made. This volume brings together new leading-edge research in the field.