What is the Difference Between Curie Temperature and Neel Temperature?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The Curie temperature and Neel temperature are both related to the magnetic properties of materials, but they describe different phenomena. The key difference between them is:

  • Curie Temperature: This is the temperature at or above which certain materials lose their permanent magnetic properties, which can often be replaced by induced magnetism. The Curie temperature is named after Pierre Curie and is related to the loss of magnetism in ferromagnetic materials.
  • Neel Temperature: This is the temperature above which an antiferromagnetic material becomes paramagnetic, meaning the thermal energy becomes large enough to overcome the magnetic ordering. The Neel temperature is analogous to the Curie temperature for ferromagnetic materials and is named after Louis Néel.

In summary, the Curie temperature is associated with the loss of permanent magnetism in ferromagnetic materials, while the Neel temperature is associated with the transition from antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic behavior in antiferromagnetic materials.

Comparative Table: Curie Temperature vs Neel Temperature

The main difference between the Curie temperature and Neel temperature is that the Curie temperature is related to the loss of permanent magnetic properties in certain materials, while the Neel temperature is associated with the transition of antiferromagnetic materials to paramagnetic materials. Here is a table comparing the two temperatures:

Property Curie Temperature Neel Temperature
Definition The temperature at which certain materials lose their permanent magnetic properties. The temperature at which antiferromagnetic materials become paramagnetic.
Magnetic Properties Permanent magnetic properties are lost at or above this temperature, and induced magnetism can often replace this lost magnetism. At this temperature, the energy of heat is enough to destroy the regular pattern of the magnetic moments.
Materials Applicable to ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic materials. Applicable to antiferromagnetic materials.
Transition The ordered magnetic moments change into a disordered state at or above this temperature. Above the Neel temperature, the material undergoes a transition from antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic.

Both temperatures describe the magnetic properties of certain substances and are high-temperature values.