A spring-block model for Barkhausen noise

TL;DR

This paper introduces a spring-block mechanical model that effectively simulates Barkhausen noise and hysteresis phenomena, aligning well with experimental observations and providing a useful tool for both research and education.

Contribution

A simple spring-block model is proposed that reproduces key features of Barkhausen noise and hysteresis, offering a new approach for simulations and pedagogical use.

Findings

Model reproduces main characteristics of hysteresis loops

Barkhausen jump statistics follow scaling laws

Qualitative agreement with experimental results

Abstract

A simple mechanical spring-block model is introduced for studying magnetization phenomena and in particularly the Barkhausen noise. The model captures and reproduces the accepted microscopic picture of domain wall movement and pinning. Computer simulations suggest that this model is able to reproduce the main characteristics of hysteresis loops and Barkhausen jumps. In the thermodynamic limit the statistics of the obtained Barkhausen jumps follows several scaling laws, in qualitative agreement with the experimental results. The simplicity of the model and the invoked mechanical analogies makes it attractive for computer simulations and pedagogical purposes.