Magnitude of local magnetization in transition metals

There is fluctuating magnetization on an atomic scale in the magnetic transition metals above $T_c$. This takes the form of well-defined local moments in some of the metals; in others, the magnetization is entirely due to thermal fluctuations. The local magnetization above $T_c$ is calculated on the assumption of zero short-range order; thermal fluctuations are taken into account. Calculations are performed on both one- and three-component exchange fields. The calculated magnetization is less than the experimental value, suggesting the importance of rapid electronic fluctuations or short-range order. The energy difference between the ordered and disordered states is in good agreement with experiment and gives a good estimate of $T_c$ in Fe, Co, and Ni, showing that the transition can be understood in terms of the disordering of local magnetization, regardless of whether local moments exist about $T_c$.