Anisotropy induced anomalies in Dy1−xTbxAl2

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. C, Materials for optical and electronic devices Materials for optical and electronic devices, 2017, Vol.5 (4), p.896-91
• Main Authors: Khan, M, Pathak, A. K, Mudryk, Y, Gschneidner, Jr, K. A, Pecharsky, V. K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Anomalies; Distortion; Frustration; Heat capacity; INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; Magnetic permeability; Magnetization; MATERIALS SCIENCE; Specific heat
• ISSN: 2050-7526; 2050-7534
• DOI: 10.1039/c6tc05384j

The Dy 1− x Tb x Al 2 alloys have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, heat capacity, and magnetic measurements. All samples exhibit cubic Laves phase crystal structure at room temperature but at T C , DyAl 2 and TbAl 2 show tetragonal and rhombohedral distortions, respectively. First order phase transitions are observed below T C (at the spin-reorientation transition, T SR ) in the alloys with 0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.35. These transitions are signified by sharp heat capacity peaks and corresponding anomalies in the magnetization and ac magnetic susceptibility data. The observations are interpreted by taking into consideration the differences in easy magnetization directions of DyAl 2 and TbAl 2 . Due to the competing magnetic structures, the anisotropy-related instability and magnetic frustrations are prominent in the Dy 1− x Tb x Al 2 alloys at certain concentrations resulting in the first order transitions. The Dy 1− x Tb x Al 2 alloys have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, heat capacity, and magnetic measurements.