Magnetic domains

When a ferromagnetic material is exposed to a magnetic field, in nearly cases its dimensions change. The resulting relative strain is called the magnetostriction lambda . Inversely, an application of a stress tends to cause magnetization variations of the material. Direct manifestations of the changes of the state of magnetization with application of stress are a marked Delta E-effect and a substantial loss of mechanical vibrational energy of a ferromagnet characterized by a relatively important magnetostriction. The last effect can give rise to a strong damping called magnetomechanical damping with stress-dependent and independent components. The purpose of the present review is to give various aspects of magnetomechanical effects in terms of magnetic domain structure and its evolution. First, we begin with a brief presentation of the major physical parameters used in a mesoscopic description of magnetization phenomena. (Examples include Fe.)