MERRILL

MERRILL models three-dimensional micromagnetic domain structures and computes energy barriers and saddle-point pathways between local energy minima (LEM) to study pseudo-single-domain behavior and magnetic remanence in rock and paleomagnetism.

Key Features:

• Three-Dimensional Micromagnetic Modeling: Calculates intricate three-dimensional domain structures and inhomogeneous magnetization distributions within magnetic materials.
• Local Energy Minima (LEM) and Saddle-Point Paths: Identifies local energy minima (LEM) and simulates saddle-point paths between nearby LEMs to quantify transition barriers.
• Finite Element / Boundary Element Methods: Employs a numerical approach combining finite element and boundary element methods for magnetization modeling in complex geometries.
• Irregular Grain Geometries: Models magnetization structures in irregular grain geometries relevant to natural samples.
• Single Grains and Interacting Grain Assemblies: Simulates magnetic characteristics of single grains and small assemblies of interacting grains.
• Energy Landscape and Magnetic Remanence Analysis: Analyzes energy landscapes to assess pseudo-single-domain behaviors and contributions to magnetic remanence in paleomagnetic samples.

Scientific Applications:

• Rock Magnetism and Paleomagnetism: Investigates pseudo-single-domain behavior and remanent magnetization processes in geological samples.
• Grain-Scale Domain Structure Studies: Characterizes domain configurations and energy barriers within single grains and small grain assemblies.
• Interpretation of Paleomagnetic Data: Supports interpretation of magnetic remanence by providing mechanistic models of LEMs and transition pathways.

Methodology:

Combines finite element and boundary element numerical methods to model three-dimensional micromagnetics, calculate local energy minima (LEM), and simulate saddle-point paths between LEMs to evaluate energy barriers and inhomogeneous domain structures.