Propagation of avalanches in Mn12-acetate: magnetic deflagration

Phys Rev Lett. 2005 Sep 30;95(14):147201. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.147201. Epub 2005 Sep 30.

Abstract

Local time-resolved measurements of fast reversal of the magnetization of single crystals of Mn12-acetate indicate that the magnetization avalanche spreads as a narrow interface that propagates through the crystal at a constant velocity that is roughly 2 orders of magnitude smaller than the speed of sound. We argue that this phenomenon is closely analogous to the propagation of a flame front (deflagration) through a flammable chemical substance.