Low-temperature magnetostriction and distortions in the rare-earth Laves phases

Abstract

The effects of partial substitution of dysprosium in Tb0.2Dy0.8Co2 by terbium and gadolinium on the structure and magnetic properties have been studied. Two compositions, Tb0.3Dy0.7Co2 and Tb0.2Dy0.7Gd0.1Co2 have been synthesized. Their crystal structure, in contrast to the structure of the original compound, has both tetragonal distortions and rhombohedral distortions at lower temperatures. Anomalies of magnetostriction and magnetocaloric effect near the observed magnetic phase transitions have been studied. The sign-alternating temperature dependences of the longitudinal and transverse magnetostrictions associated with various types of crystal structure distortions of the alloys are revealed.