Patent ID: 6399011
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of inducing biaxial particle alignment in a body of crystalline particles having anisotropic magnetic susceptibility, so that at least a major portion of the crystalline particles have at least two crystalline axes generally parallel, comprising subjecting the particles to cycles of relative rotation between the body of crystalline particles anda magnetic field in a first direction relative to the body of crystalline particles, and a magnetic field in a second direction relative to the body of crystalline particles, which field in said second direction has a lower magnitude, or lower average magnitude over time, than the magnitude or average magnitude over time of said magnetic field in said first direction, said crystalline particles having freedom to move to align with said magnetic field, to thereby induce alignment of the axis of maximum magnetic susceptibility of the particles generally with said field in said first direction and an axis of lower magnetic susceptibility of the particles generally with said field in said second direction, and the crystalline particles being subjected to the magnetic field in said first direction in one orientation between the body of crystalline particles and the magnetic field, and for a time longer than the crystalline particles are subjected to the magnetic field in said second direction, in another such orientation.