How are ferrites used in switching regulators and high-frequency power transformers?

In the context of materials science, soft ceramic ferrites are essential components in switching regulators and high-frequency power transformers due to their unique electrical and magnetic properties.1

While magnetic metals often possess higher saturation magnetization, ceramic ferrites are valued for their high electrical resistivity. During manufacturing, this resistivity is often enhanced by oxidizing the grain boundaries, which creates resistive internal layers.12

This high resistivity is critical because it significantly reduces the occurrence of eddy currents—unwanted currents induced by rapidly fluctuating magnetic fields that otherwise cause energy loss through heating. By minimizing these losses, soft ferrites allow for efficient operation in electric power systems, particularly at the higher frequencies where switching regulators and power transformers function.13