Local time-resolved measurements of fast reversal of the magnetization of single crystals of Mn12-acetate indicate that the magnetization avalanche spreads as a narrow interface that propagates through the crystal at a constant velocity that is roughly two orders of magnitude smaller than the speed of sound. We argue that this phenomenon is closely analogous to the propagation of a flame front (deflagration) through a flammable chemical substance.
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0506569,
title = {Propagation of Avalanches in Mn$_{12}$-acetate: Magnetic Deflagration},
author = {Yoko Suzuki and M. P. Sarachik and E. M. Chudnovsky and S. McHugh and R. Gonzalez-Rubio and Nurit Avraham and Y. Myasoedov and E. Zeldov and H. Shtrikman and N. E. Chakov and G. Christou},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0506569},
year = {2009}
}