Optimization on magnetic transitions and magnetostriction in TbxDyyNdz(Fe0.9Co0.1)1.93 compounds

The structure, magnetic transitions, and magnetostriction of TbxDyyNdz(Fe0.9Co0.1)(1.93) polycrystalline compounds have been investigated, with the ratio of x, y, and z spanning the line of minimum magnetic anisotropy. Anisotropy compensation with lower Tb content was realized in Tb0.253Dy0.657Nd0.09(Fe0.9Co0.1)(1.93) compound. The spin configuration diagram accompanied with different crystal structures was constructed to illustrate the arrangement for the easy magnetization direction and crystal structure. An optimized effect on magnetostriction especially at the relatively low field of 1 kOe (197 ppm) was observed in Tb0.253Dy0.657Nd0.09(Fe0.9Co0.1)(1.93) compound, which is about two times larger than that of the sample free of Nd (62 ppm). Meanwhile, the polycrystalline saturation magnetostriction (lambda(s) = 945 ppm) of Tb0.253Dy0.657Nd0.09(Fe0.9Co0.1)(1.93) is even much larger than that of the Ho-doped multicomponent single crystal compound Tb0.2Dy0.22Ho0.58Fe2 (lambda(s) = 530 ppm). Low content of heavy rare earth Tb, high Curie temperature, and large ratio between magnetostriction and the absolute value of the first anisotropy constant lambda(a)/vertical bar K-1 vertical bar were obtained in Tb0.253Dy0.657Nd0.09(Fe0.9Co0.1)(1.93) compound, which may make it a potential material for magnetostrictive application. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.