Multiple easy-axis changes in magnetostrictive Tb/sub 0.88/Dy/sub 0.12/Zn

Magnetization measurements were made on a single crystal sample of Tb/sub 0.88/Dy/sub 0.12/Zn from 4 K to room temperature. Easy-axis reorientations were found at about 46 K, 42.5 K, and 10 K. The presences of [100] easy, [uv0] easy and [110] easy and a return to a second [uv0] easy phase were deduced from these data. A discontinuous change in easy direction at 63 K was found for a TbZn single crystal. Magnetostriction measurements were made under compression at 77 K on a single crystal rod of Tb/sub 0.88/Dy/sub 0.12/Zn. /spl lambda//sub 100/ was determined to be 0.53%. An interpretation of the magnetization vs. magnetic field orientation data is given based on a phenomenological model. In particular, it is noted that two maxima in the magnetization vs. orientation curves are consequences of low magnetic anisotropy; they do not imply the coexistence of two free energy minima.