First order magnetization processes in R2Fe17 compounds (R = Tb, Er)

Magnetization curves of both Er2Fe17 and Tb2Fe17 were measured on single crystals along the c-axis in the temperature range of 5-350 K and in a magnetic field up to 160 kOe. Two simulation techniques were used for micromagnetic modeling of magnetization curves of these compounds: (I) a vector-moment model and (II) a method based on the Neel-phase approach. Both simulation methods lead to identical results for the “regular” anisotropy types “easy axis”, “easy cone” and “easy plane”. However, in the case of a metastable anisotropy energy minimum along the c-axis the used simulation methods yield different results. Sets of anisotropy constants K1(T), K2(T) of Tb2Fe17 and Er2Fe17 were obtained using both simulation approaches the for temperature range 5÷300 K © MISM2005. All rights reserved