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Polder tensor

Polder tensor is a physics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Polder tensor rather than just read about it. In short: The Polder tensor is a tensor introduced by Dirk Polder in 1949 for the description of magnetic permeability of ferrites. The tensor notation needs to be used because ferrimagnetic material becomes anisotropic in the presence of a magnetizing field.

Key takeaways

  • Polder tensor belongs to physics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Polder tensor to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Polder tensor from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The Polder tensor is a tensor introduced by Dirk Polder in 1949 for the description of magnetic permeability of ferrites. The tensor notation needs to be used because ferrimagnetic material becomes anisotropic in the presence of a magnetizing field. The tensor is described mathematically as:

B = [ μ j κ 0 − j κ μ 0 0 0 μ 0 ] H {\displaystyle B={\begin{bmatrix}\mu &j\kappa &0\\-j\kappa &\mu &0\\0&0&\mu _{0}\end{bmatrix}}H}

Neglecting the effects of damping, the components of the tensor are given by

μ = μ 0 ( 1 + ω 0 ω m ω 0 2 − ω 2 ) {\displaystyle \mu =\mu _{0}\left(1+{\frac {\omega _{0}\omega _{m}}{\omega _{0}^{2}-\omega ^{2}}}\right)}

κ = μ 0 ω ω m ω 0 2 − ω 2 {\displaystyle \kappa =\mu _{0}{\frac {\omega \omega _{m}}{{\omega _{0}}^{2}-\omega ^{2}}}}

where

ω 0 = γ μ 0 H 0 {\displaystyle \omega _{0}=\gamma \mu _{0}H_{0}\ }

ω m = γ μ 0 M {\displaystyle \omega _{m}=\gamma \mu _{0}M\ }

ω = 2 π f {\displaystyle \omega =2\pi f}

γ = 1.11 × 10 5 ⋅ g {\displaystyle \gamma =1.11\times 10^{5}\cdot g\,\,} (rad /s) /(A/m) is the effective gyromagnetic ratio and g {\displaystyle g} , the so-called effective g-factor, is a ferrite material constant typically in the range of 1.5 - 2.6, depending on the particular ferrite material. f {\displaystyle f} is the frequency of the RF/microwave signal propagating through the ferrite, H 0 {\displaystyle H_{0}} is the internal magnetic bias field, M {\displaystyle M} is the magnetization of the ferrite material and μ 0 {\displaystyle \mu _{0}} is the magnetic permeability of free space. To simplify computations, the radian frequencies of ω 0 , ω m , {\displaystyle \omega _{0},\,\omega _{m},\,} and ω {\displaystyle \omega } can be replaced with frequencies (Hz) in the equations for μ {\displaystyle \mu } and κ {\displaystyle \kappa } because the 2 π {\displaystyle 2\pi } factor cancels. In this case, γ = 1.76 × 10 4 ⋅ g {\displaystyle \gamma =1.76\times 10^{4}\cdot g\,\,} Hz/ (A/m) = 1.40 ⋅ g {\displaystyle =1.40\cdot g\,\,} MHz/Oe. If CGS units are used, computations can be further simplified because the μ 0 {\displaystyle \mu _{0}} factor can be dropped.

References

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Polder tensor

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Polder tensor claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In physics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Polder tensor before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Polder tensor ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Polder tensor

In research
Polder tensor appears in physics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Polder tensor in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Polder tensor is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Ferrites, Ferromagnetic materials, Magnetic ordering, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Polder tensor outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Polder tensor in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Polder tensor means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Polder tensor out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Polder tensor in simple terms?

The Polder tensor is a tensor introduced by Dirk Polder in 1949 for the description of magnetic permeability of ferrites. The tensor notation needs to be used because ferrimagnetic material becomes anisotropic in the presence of a magnetizing field.

Why does Polder tensor matter?

Because it connects several physics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Polder tensor?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Polder tensor.

Tags

  • Ferrites
  • Ferromagnetic materials
  • Magnetic ordering
  • Tensor physical quantities

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