Saturation magnetisation (Ms)
The highest magnetic moment per gram, reached at high field.
Useful forFerrites, magnetic nanoparticles, alloysElectrical, Magnetic & Electrochemical
Vibrating Sample Magnetometry
VSM
VSM vibrates a small sample in a magnetic field and measures the voltage it induces in pickup coils. It records the full M–H hysteresis loop, giving saturation magnetisation, remanence and coercivity.
1 test optionM–H hysteresis loopsFields typically up to ~2 TTypical turnaround 5–7 working days
Vibrating Sample Magnetometry measurement principleIllustrative
01 / Overview
What is Vibrating Sample Magnetometry?
The sample, fixed to the end of a non-magnetic rod, is vibrated about a millimetre up and down between the poles of an electromagnet. Its magnetic moment moves with it and induces a small AC voltage in nearby pickup coils, in proportion to the moment. Sweeping the field up and back traces the magnetisation loop.
VSM handles powders, films, ribbons and small bulk pieces, from strongly ferromagnetic to weakly paramagnetic. It is the routine way to compare saturation magnetisation, coercivity and remanence of nanoparticles, ferrites, alloys and magnetic films.
02 / How it works
How it works
- 01
Sample is mounted
A weighed powder, film or small piece is fixed in a non-magnetic holder at the end of the rod.
- 02
Sample vibrates in the field
The rod vibrates the sample up and down, by about a millimetre, between the magnet's pole pieces.
- 03
Coils pick up the signal
The moving moment induces a voltage in the pickup coils, proportional to the sample's magnetisation.
- 04
Field is swept
The field is swept from positive to negative and back, tracing the M–H hysteresis loop.
03 / What it measures
What it measures
Coercivity (Hc)
The reverse field needed to bring the magnetisation back to zero.
Useful forTelling hard magnets from soft onesRemanence (Mr)
The magnetisation left once the field is removed.
Useful forPermanent magnets, magnetic recordingType of magnetic behaviour
Ferro-, ferri-, para- or superparamagnetic, from the loop shape.
Useful forNew materials, magnetic nanoparticlesAnisotropy in films
Loops measured with the field in-plane and out-of-plane.
Useful forMagnetic thin films and multilayers04 / Test options
Choose the Vibrating Sample Magnetometry options you need
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05 / Sample requirements
Sample requirements
- Accepted forms
- Powders, thin films on substrates, ribbons, small bulk pieces
- Quantity
- Typically 10–30 mg of powder; less for strongly magnetic samples
- Size
- Films and pieces typically up to about 5 × 5 mm
- Films
- Send a bare substrate piece too, for background correction
- Field
- State the maximum field needed, if known
- Dry powders, free of solvent and moisture
- State sample mass, and film thickness and area, if known
- Mark the film side and in-plane direction, if relevant
- No handling with steel tools or near magnets
- No liquids or wet pastes without discussing first
Hazardous or air-sensitive samples: mention it in your request, and attach the MSDS if you have one.
06 / Results & turnaround
Results & turnaround
What you receive
- M–H hysteresis loop (emu, emu/g or emu/cm³)
- Saturation magnetisation, remanence and coercivity
- Squareness ratio (Mr/Ms), when relevant
- Raw data files
- Report PDF
Turnaround & pricing
Typically 5–7 working days after samples reach the lab.
Price confirmed in your quotation, depending on user type, options and number of samples.
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