noun
- A material in which the magnetic moments of adjacent atoms or ions are aligned in opposite directions, resulting in zero or near-zero net magnetic moment.
Usage: physics; materials science
Examples
- Iron oxide is an example of an antiferromagnet used in research.
- The antiferromagnet exhibits no permanent magnetic field despite having magnetic atoms.
- Scientists study antiferromagnets to understand magnetic ordering at the atomic level.
- Unlike ferromagnets, antiferromagnets do not attract iron filings.
- The discovery of antiferromagnetic properties revolutionized materials physics.