Magnetostriction of RFe/sub 3/ and R/sub 6/Fe/sub 23/ compounds (R = rare earth)

The magnetostriction of the RFe/sub 3/ and R/sub 6/Fe/sub 23/ compounds was measured from room temperature to 80K (R = Sm, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm). In the RFe/sub 3/ series, TbFe/sub 3/ possesses the largest magnetostrictive strain (lambda/sub parallel/ - lambda/sub perpendicular to/ = 990 x 10/sup -6/ at room temperature, 1725 x 10/sup -6/ at 80/sup 0/K). The signs of the magnetostriction are consistent with those predicted by the Stevens' factor ..cap alpha...