Polarization effects in the propagation of magnetoelastic waves in hematite

Studies have been made on the effects of the magnitude and direction of an external magnetic fied in the frequency range 10-45 MHz on the polarization, damping, and velocity of magnetoelastic waves in hematite. It is found that the damping is strongly dependent on frequency for field strengths less than 2 kOe. When the field is reduced from 4 kOe to 0.05 kOe, the velocity is reduced by more than 40%. It has been shown by experiment that one can rotate the shear-wave's plane of polarization through 90° by altering the field strength and direction.