Mössbauer spectroscopy of magnetic small particles with emphasis on barium ferrite

Ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic particles have been of scientific and technological interest for several decades. The study of nanometer clusters or particles is currently a developing subject. Such materials may be in a non-equilibrium or quasi-equilibrium phase; different properties as compared to the bulk and indeed even new physical phenomena may be expected. Some ways to synthesize clusters and fine particles are described. Mössbauer spectroscopy is shown to be particularly useful for the study of nanometer particles; an outline of how it actually works is given. As an illustration, barium ferrite small particles, a material of topical interest, is considered in detail. In particular, methods of preparation, the crystal and magnetic structure, the magnetic characteristics, recently obtained Mössbauer results, and potential and realized applications are reviewed.