Scaling laws and approximate expressions for the dynamic magnetic susceptibility of Brownian nanoparticles

We present simplified expressions for the out-of-phase component of the dynamic susceptibility χ″χ″ of lognormal-sized magnetic nanoparticles under Brownian rotation. These expressions are based on transforming the general integral functions used for χ″χ″ in the convolution of gaussian functions. χ″χ″ can thus be expressed as a sum of gaussians with parameters directly related to those of the size distribution and to the saturation magnetization. The gaussian fit of χ″(ω)χ″(ω) (where ωω is the ac field frequency) is a simpler way to determine these structural and magnetic parameters as it avoids fitting χ″(ω)χ″(ω) to an integral function. The expressions derived for χ″χ″ suggest that χ″Tχ″T data collapses in a ωη(T)/Tωη(T)/T scale (where T   is the temperature and ηη the fluids viscosity), which is confirmed by numerical calculations. We also discuss the limits of validity of these approximations in real systems where both Néel and Brownian relaxation mechanisms coexist and we present further approximations for the relation of ωχωχ with the average volume (being ωχωχ the frequency at which χ″χ″ is maximum). The ωη(T)/Tωη(T)/T scale can be used to qualitatively evaluate the dominance of the Brownian relaxation mechanism.

► Simplifications and scaling of magnetic susceptibility for Brownian nanoparticles. ► Simple relations between susceptibility and volume distribution parameters. ► Effects of surface and Néel relaxation.