Microwave properties of planar hexagonal ferrites

A large number of samples of hexagonal ferrite, with planar anisotropy incorporating various metal ions, were synthesized and tested for FMR (ferromagnetic resonance). Measurements were made at room temperature in transmission cavities at frequencies between 10 and 35 Gc/s on magnetically oriented polycrystalline compounds. Of the possible crystal forms for hexagonal ferrite, those designated as
W, Y
, and
Z
were investigated. The
Y
compounds were found to have the most useful microwave properties. The resonance line width was found to vary between 100 and 1200 Oe, and the anisotropy field varied from zero to 40000 Oe. The
W
and
Z
compounds have planar or uniaxial anisotropy, depending on the composition. The region of zero anisotropy was determined. The magnetically oriented polycrystalline materials resemble single crystals in having easy and hard directions of magnetization which require different magnetic field values for FMR. Qualitative information about how well the crystallites are aligned with each other can be obtained from the examination of two FMR absorption curves made with the sample turned so that its easy and hard directions, respectively, are aligned with the magnetic field. Curves are shown to illustrate the difference between nonoriented, partially oriented, and well-oriented materials.