This book is based on the contributions to a course, entitled Applied
Magnetism, which was the 25th Course of the International School of
Materials Science and Technology. The Course was held as a NATO Advanced
Study Institute at the Ettore Majorana Centre in Erice, Sicily, Italy
between the 1st and 12th July 1992, and attracted almost 70 participants
from 15 different countries. The book deals with the theory, experiments
and applications of the main topical areas of applied magnetism. These
selected areas include the physics of magnetic recording, magnetic and
magneto-optic recording devices, systems and media, magnetic fine
particles, magnetic separation, domains and domain walls in soft
magnetic materials, permanent magnets, magnetoresistance, thin film
magneto-optics, and finally, microwave, optical and computational
magnetics. The material is organised into I 0 self-contained chapters
which together provide a comprehensive coverage of the subject of
applied magnetism. The aim is to emphasise the connection between the
fundamental theoretical concepts, key experiments and the important
technological developments which have been achieved in this field up to
the present time. Moreover, when and where possible, pointers to future
trends are indicated which hopefully, together with the background
material, will promote further advancement of research. The organizing
committee would like to acknowledge the sponsorship of the NATO
Scientific Affairs Division, the National Science Foundation of the USA,
the Science and Engineering Research Council of the UK, the Italian
Ministry of Education, the Italian Ministry of University and Scientific
Research and the Sicilian Regional Government.
