IOPscience - The Barkhausen Effect

A new method of investigating the discontinuous changes in magnetization (the Barkhausen effect) is described. The number of discontinuities occurring is counted, and a knowledge of the change in magnetic moment associated with each one, leads to information concerning the volume of material associated with a discontinuity. The change in magnetization due to discontinuities and the distribution of number and size over the hysteresis cycle is obtained. Conclusions are drawn that the discontinuities associated with volumes of greater than 0.9×10-9cm3 only account for about 30% of the total change in magnetization. Possible explanations of these results are discussed, and suggestions made as to the further development of the method.