Critical RF losses in fine particles of La1−xAgyMnO3+δ: Prospects for temperature-controlled hyperthermia

Temperature and frequency dependencies of the real (χ′) and imaginary (χ″) parts of the dynamic magnetic susceptibility were studied experimentally in fine particles of La–Ag manganites prepared by various methods. The samples under study have the Curie points in the range TC=42–48 °C, which is a medical hyperthermia range of interest. When approaching TC from below, a critical peak of χ″ was revealed, followed by a steep drop while passing to the paramagnetic phase. The experiments on the magnetic radio-frequency (RF) heating of the manganite aqueous suspensions demonstrated good autostabilization of the temperature near TC. Peculiar instability is found in the heating kinetics, caused by the observed critical behavior of the RF losses. The prospects of the La–Ag manganites as candidates for application in the temperature-controlled hyperthermia are discussed.