Exchange Bias ─ From Thin Film to Nanogranular and Bulk Systems

This timely book covers basic mechanisms, characterization, theoretical simulations, and applications for exchange bias in granular nanosystems, thin films, and bulk systems. After an overview of the field and key principles, the next section covers nanogranular (core-shell) systems, followed by chapters on thin films, bilayers/multilayers nanostructures, dilute magnetic semiconductors, and multiferroic systems. A final section turns to bulk systems, such as those consisting of perovskite structures, rare earth-transition metal intermetallic, and ion implantations.

Readers of this book will obtain

• A complete, modern overview on exchange bias phenomena, covering synthesis, characterization techniques, and applications
• An introduction to all the important phenomenological models proposed for thin films, bulk materials, and nanoparticles
• Detailed discussion of the importance of size, shape, cooling field, and temperature on exchange bias properties
• Understanding of novel applications of exchange bias systems

Surender Kumar Sharma, PhD, is Professor in the Department of Physics and Group Leader and Coordinator of the Functional Nanomaterials Laboratory at the Universidade Federal do Maranhao (UFMA) in Sao Luis, Brazil. Dr. Sharma has obtained his PhD degree in July 2007 from H. P. University, Shimla India. He has previously worked several years in research/academic positions in Brazil, France, Czech Republic, India, Mexico, focusing on the area of nanomagnetism and functional nanomaterials. At present he is an active member of post-graduate research program at UFMA and actively involved in research, teaching and supervising research students at UG/PG levels. He has been awarded FAPEMA Senior Researcher grants and to date has published more than fifty peer-reviewed articles and has attended numerous international conferences.