Functional intermetallic compounds in the samarium-iron system

Magnetism of intermetallic compounds SmFe2, SmFe3, Sm6Fe23, and SmFe7 were studied in detail using single crystals and the use of these materials has been discussed. SmFe2 and Sm6Fe23 have cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the easy axis of magnetization in the [111] direction. SmFe2 has giant negative magnetostriction that can be used for microactuator or ultrasonic generator. SmFe3 has a relatively large saturation moment and uniaxial anisotropy, which are promising for application as a perpendicular magnetic recording medium. Large saturation magnetization and extremely large magnetocrystalline anisotropy of SmFe7 seem promising as an absorber in the frequency range of milliwave as well as a high performance permanent magnet.