Dynamic phenomena in magnets and investigations over five orders of magnitude

Some rather general topics in condensed matter research can be studied in specific magnetic systems with great success. Examples include pattern formation in magnetic systems far from equilibrium, and models for strongly nonlinear dynamics associated with high frequency response. Dynamics of magnetization is a topic currently of great interest for basic and applied science. Specific results from recent research are highlighted, which illustrate some of the interesting phenomena observable on different scales of length and time: from the microscopic to the atomic in length; and from years to the sub-nanosecond in time. The focus is on the dynamics of domain nucleation and the properties of domain walls in thin films, multilayers and wires. Finally, some aspects of ballistic charge and spin transport through domain boundary walls are illustrated for mesoscopic magnets. (wohlfarth memorial lecture)