Magnetic Anisotropy of Ferromagnetic Grains – Comparison of Different Methods

Abstract

PrefaceDear Colleagues, This year we have the pleasure to attend already the 16th "Castle Meeting" on Paleo, Rock and Environmental Magnetsim. Although 16 is not the right reason to celebrate, these meetings started exactly 30 years ago as meeting on Paleomagnetism, Rock Magnetism and Database Usage.The very first one was held in Liblice (Czechoslovakia) in 1988, being motivated by discussions held during the International Association for Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA) Assembly in 1985 in Prague. Actually, since the beginning in 1988, the meetings have been recognized by and sponsored by IAGA. I remember the first one in 1988 pretty well -I gave my very first oral presentation on paleomagnetism of rocks from Cap de Chevre (France). My shirt got completely wet and I had barely idea what I was tolking about. However, I met several great personalities in our field of research, such as legendary Vit Jelinek (who otherwise practically did not attend any meetings). One year later, in 1989, the political situation in our country changed dramatically. This change resulted in exit of several of my co-workers, including my supervisor, to private business and I was left almost alone with the decision of the first meeting to continue the organization of these events on regular bi-annual basis. Thus, I had to organize the second one in 1990 in Bechyne. At that meeting we agreed with colleagues from Bratislava (Slovakia) to hold the meetings alternately in both new countriesCzech and Slovak Republics (see the list of meetings held until now at the end of this text). As a result, it has been my privilege and great pleasure to organize, or be at hand to organizers, of these great meetings for 3 decades.These meetings got a worldwide reputation in particular for the atmosphere, which has always combined scientific work with excellent social programme, consisting of local tours, cultural performances, food and drinks tasting, etc. I especially appreciate very much that the attendees varied from regular, well recognized experts to young Ph.D. (or even master) students; many of the latter ones developed later on to well established and known scientists. All the participants easily got the idea that the meetings represent ideal training for young colleagues -acting as chairs of sessions, being evaluated for their performance and nominated for the IAGA award, etc. And one could not count how many working cooperations, projects and good personal friendships were established at these meetings. To conclude, we successfully "survived" three decades of these bright events. Four years ago we moved for the first time outside former Czechoslovakia and no doubts local organizers (Pedro Silva in Portugal in 2014 as well as Simo Spassov in Belgium in 2016) proved that they got these meetings deeply uder their skin. I only wish this trends remains also for the future, having meetings of PREFACE 2 this size, with relaxed atmosphere and participants from about 25 countries worldwide, combining various ages and cultures. It will be always my grea...