Abstract
Preliminary Mössbauer spectroscopy data support the “x-phase” theory of Ishikawa and Syono, which explains reversed thermoremanent magnetization in the ilmenite-hematite series. Heat-treated samples of 50, 55, and 60mole% ilmenite show long-range magnetic order above their Curie points; quenched samples do not. The “x-phase” constitutes about seven percent of the 60mole% sample. Part of the x-phase has a Curie temperature at least 200°C higher than the bulk sample.
