Volume 17 of the Handbook on the Properties of Magnetic Materials, as the preceding volumes, has a dual purpose. As a textbook it is intended to be of assistance to those who wish to be introduced to a given topic in the field of magnetism without the need to read the vast amount of literature published. As a work of reference it is intended for scientists active in magnetism research. To this dual purpose, Volume 17 of the Handbook is composed of topical review articles written by leading authorities. In each of these articles an extensive description is given in graphical as well as in tabular form, much emphasis being placed on the discussion of the experimental material in the framework of physics, chemistry and material science. It provides the readership with novel trends and achievements in magnetism.*composed of topical review articles written by leading authorities *intended to be of assistance to those who wish to be introduced to a given topic in the field of magnetism *as a work of reference it is intended for scientists active in magnetism research *provide the readership with novel trends and achievements in magnetism