Spin-reorientation transitions in rare-earth magnets

Abstract

This review treats the little-studied magnetic phase transitions of the order-order,\r spin-reorientation type, in which a rotation of the magnetization vector (or of die\r antiferromagnetism vector) with respect to the crystallographic axes occurs upon change of\r temperature, magnetic field, or external pressure. It presents theoretical ideas about magnetic\r phase transitions of the spin-reorientation type; it considers the effect of domain structure on\r spin-reorientation phase transitions, aad critical fluctuations during such transitions. Taking as\r an example rare-earth magnets (orthoferrites, iron-garnets, and rare-earth metals and intermetallic\r compounds), it considers the experimental data on various types of spin-reorientation transitions\r and on the anomalies of physical properties at such transitions.