Magnetic Characteristics of Tb–Y and Ho–Y Solid Solutions

Abstract

Magnetization—temperature data are presented for temperatures ranging from 4.2° to 300°K for Tb–Y and Ho–Y solid solutions in which the Y content varies from 0 to 90 at. %. Incorporation of Y into the Tb lattice suppresses the tendencies for both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic ordering. The former in particular is affected so that alloys containing 70% Tb or less no longer exhibit ferromagnetism in the absence of an applied field. The Néel point (T_N) is lowered when Ho is diluted with Y but the temperature of its lower magnetic transition point (sometime called its Curie point) is essentially unchanged. $T_N^{\frac{3}{2}}$ is observed to vary linearly with composition in both the Tb–Y and Ho–Y systems. The paramagnetic behavior of both systems is in general accordance with that expected on the basis of the simple molecular field picture. The magnetization—temperature behavior of Tb₇₀Y₃₀ is anomalous, resembling that of Dy₉₀Y₁₀ and Dy₉₅Y₅. Under certain circumstances these alloys appear to be magnetically two phase.