VSM

Today's reading group will be on the VSM. Andy will present a small introduction on this popular technique used to characterize magnetic properties of materials.

The vibrating sample magnetometer: Experiences of a volunteer
S. Foner - Francis Bitter National Magnet Laboratory and Department of Physics, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

On its 40th anniversary, I describe how the vibrating sample magnetometer ~VSM! was developed and, later, how the very low frequency VSM, a flux-integration device, was developed. The important features of the moving sample technique, detection coil symmetry, calibration, sensitivity, and image effects are discussed briefly. Some VSM adaptations discussed include operation at 3He and dilution refrigerator temperatures, at high hydrostatic pressures, in superconducting, high-power water-cooled and hybrid magnets, for very low frequency ac susceptibility, and with SQUID detectors. © 1996 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979~96!50508-4]