Switching in Magnetite: A Thermally Driven Magnetic Phase Transition

Abstract

We have performed a variety of experiments on switching phenomena in a metal oxide, magnetite. Our findings are consistent with Joule microheating which drives the Verwey transition occurring at 119 K. We conclude that considerations of band structure, direct electric-field-induced transitions, tunneling, injection, and space-charge phenomena are not required to explain any of our observations.