Magnetostriction of a Fe83Ga17 single crystal slightly doped with Tb

Abstract A novel strategy of sub-rapid directional solidification is developed for preparing doped FeGa single crystals. Crystals of nominal composition Fe 83 Ga 17 Tb x (x = 0, 0.05) have been grown with [100] preferred orientation at a high growth rate of 3000 mm/h. Using this method, trace amounts of normally-insoluble Tb can be incorporated into the A2 Fe 83 Ga 17 matrix. A large magnetostriction (λ 100 ) of 310 ppm is achieved in the [100] oriented Fe 83 Ga 17 Tb 0.05 single crystal, ~ 50% higher than that of a similar undoped crystal.