Nonmajor cubic symmetry axes of easy magnetization in rare-earth-iron Laves compounds
Abstract
Unusual [u u w]- and [u v0]-type axes of easy magnetization have been observed in some cubic rare-earth-iron Laves compounds. The presence of these directions of spontaneous magnetization can be accounted for, within the phenomenological treatment of the magnetic anisotropy, by including eighth-power direction-cosine terms in the power expansion of the magnetic anisotropy energy. It will also be shown that the single-ion model predicts the existence of these directions. The conditions imposed on the bulk magnetic anisotropy constants are derived. Typical values of these constants in rare-earth-iron Laves phases are calculated using the single-ion model.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review B
- Pub Date:
- May 1976
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevB.13.4006
- Bibcode:
- 1976PhRvB..13.4006A