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Updated: Jun 12, 2025

Optimizing Magnetic Force Microscopy Resolution and Sensitivity to Visualize Nanoscale Magnetic Domains
Published on: July 20, 2022
Magnetic space groups versus representation analysis in the investigation of magnetic structures: the happy end of a
J Rodriguez-Carvajal1, J M Perez-Mato2
1Diffraction Group, Institut Laue-Langevin, 38054 Grenoble Cedex 9, France.
Abstract:
In recent decades, sustained theoretical and software developments have clearly established that representation analysis and magnetic symmetry groups are complementary concepts that should be used together in the investigation and description of magnetic structures. Historically, they were considered alternative approaches, but currently, magnetic space groups and magnetic superspace groups can be routinely used together with representation analysis, aided by state-of-the-art software tools. After exploring the historical antagonism between these two approaches, we emphasize the significant advancements made in understanding and formally describing magnetic structures by embracing their combined use.
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