Exchange-bias-like effect in Pr0.75Tb0.25Al2 and Pr0.7Tb0.3Al2 samples

Abstract The magnetic behavior of pseudobinary Pr 0.7 Tb 0.3 Al 2 and Pr 0.75 Tb 0.25 Al 2 compounds was studied, and a predominant ferrimagnetic ordering was observed. Noteworthy characteristics such as negative magnetization, compensation points and exchange-bias-like (EB-like) effect were found. This EB-like effect was observed at temperatures below the compensation points. The effect is somewhat different from the one already studied in similar systems combining light and heavy rare earths. The results indicate that the EB-like effect characteristics are related to the conduction electron magnetic polarization and an induced unidirectional anisotropy present in these compounds.