Ultra-fast spin avalanches in crystals of molecular magnets in terms of magnetic detonation

TL;DR

This paper explores the phenomenon of ultra-fast spin avalanches in magnetic crystals, proposing magnetic detonation as the underlying mechanism and analyzing its properties and dependence on magnetic fields.

Contribution

It demonstrates the possibility of magnetic detonation in crystals of magnetic magnets, characterizing its features and relation to experimental observations.

Findings

Magnetic detonation speed slightly exceeds sound speed.

The detonation involves a shock front and Zeeman energy release zone.

Speed dependence on magnetic field is analyzed.

Abstract

Recent experiments (Decelle et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 027203 (2009)) discovered an ultra-fast regime of spin avalanches in crystals of magnetic magnets, which was three orders of magnitude faster than the traditionally studied magnetic deflagration. The new regime has been hypothetically identified as magnetic detonation. Here we demonstrate the possibility of magnetic detonation in the crystals, as a front consisting of a leading shock and a zone of Zeeman energy release. We study the dependence of the magnetic detonation parameters on the applied magnetic field. We find that the magnetic detonation speed only slightly exceeds the sound speed in agreement with the experimental observations.