Criterion for Ferromagnetism from Observations of Magnetic Isotherms

Abstract

A criterion is proposed for determining the onset of ferromagnetism in a material as its temperature is lowered from a region in which the linearity of its magnetic moment versus field isotherm gives an indication of paramagnetism. Within the limits of validity of a molecular field treatment, the Curie temperature is shown to be in general indicated by the third power of the magnetization being proportional to the internal magnetic field. The method has been employed to redetermine the Curie point of nickel from the data of Weiss and Forrer, of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ from the data of Smith and of some alloys from the data of Kaufmann and his collaborators and the author.