alternating-magnetic-field demagnetization

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alternating-magnetic-field demagnetization (AF demagnetization, thermal cleaning) A common method for demagnetizing (see DEMAGNETIZATION) rock samples that is widely used in palaeomagnetism and archaeomagnetism because of its simplicity and because it produces no chemical change in the samples. It can cause problems associated with anhysteretic and rotational remanences, and is only fully suitable for magnetite-bearing rock samples.