Magnetic and magnetostrictive properties and anisotropy compensation in Tb0.1 Ho0.9-x Prx (Fe0.9 B 0.1)2 (0≤x≤0.4) compounds

Abstract

Tb0.1 Ho0.9-x Prx Fe2 and Tb0.1 Ho0.9-x Prx (Fe0.9 B 0.1)2 (0≤x≤0.4) alloys were prepared by arc melting and subsequent annealing. It was found that the addition of boron is helpful for the formation of Mg Cu2 -type Laves phase. The spin reorientation temperature of Tb0.1 Ho0.9-x Prx (Fe0.9 B 0.1)2 compounds decreases and the easy magnetization direction rotates from 〈100〉 to 〈111〉 when x is increased from 0 to 0.4, demonstrating the anisotropy compensation between Ho3+ and Pr3+ ions. The anisotropic magnetostriction λa = λ - λ⊥ at room temperature increases with increasing Pr content when x≤0.2, which is ascribed to the much larger magnetostriction of Pr Fe2 than of Ho Fe2 and the decrease of the anisotropy due to compensation. The Tb0.1 Ho0.7 Pr0.2 (B0.1)2 compound close to the anisotropy compensation point has the largest magnetostriction at room temperature. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.