GA-CONCENTRATION DEPENDENCE OF MAGNETOCRYSTALLINE ANISOTROPY IN GD2FE17-XGAX COMPOUNDS

The structure and magnetic properties of arc-melted Gd2Fe 17-xGax compounds were studied by means of x-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrate that all samples have a rhombohedral Th2Zn 17-type structure and the substitution of Ga leads to an approximately linear increase in the unit cell volumes. The Curie temperature is found to first increase and then decrease with increasing Ga concentration. It is noteworthy that the substitution of Ga has a significant effect on the magnetic anisotropy of iron sublattice. The easy magnetization direction of Gd2Fe17-xGax compounds changes from basal plane to c axis with increasing Ga concentration. The sample with x=7 exhibits a uniaxial anisotropy. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.