Spin-reorientation transitions in RFe11Mo (R=rare earth and Y) intermetallic compounds

A series of RFe11Mo compounds (R=Y, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) with the ThMn12-type structure have been synthesized. The structural and magnetic properties of the compounds have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and magnetic measurements. The lattice parameters a, c and the unit-cell volume V of the compounds decrease with decreasing the atomic radius of the rare earth element due to the lanthanide contraction. The spin-reorientation transition (SRT) was investigated in detail. For HoFe11Mo, no SRT was observed. For NdFe11Mo, TbFe11Mo and ErFe11Mo one SRT was observed, while for DyFe11Mo two SRTs were observed. By minimizing the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy, theoretical SR temperatures of the compounds are derived, which show a reasonable agreement with the experimental values.