Morphotropic Phase Boundaries in Ferromagnets: Tb1 xDyxFe2 Alloys

Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2012 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.017203· OSTI ID:1089324

Bergstrom, Richard ^[1]; Wuttig, Manfred ^[1]; Cullen, James ^[1]; Zavalij, Peter ^[1]; Dennis, Cindi ^[2]; Garlea, Vasile O ^[3]; Laver, Mark ^[1]

---

1. University of Maryland
2. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD
3. ORNL

The structure and properties of the ferromagnet Tb1 xDyxFe2 are explored through the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) separating ferroic phases of differing symmetry. Our synchrotron data support a first order structural transition, with a broadening MPB width at higher temperatures. The optimal point for magnetomechanical applications is not centered on the MPB but lies on the rhombohedral side, where the high striction of the rhombohedral majority phase combines with the softened anisotropy of the MPB. We compare our findings with single ion crystal field theory and with ferroelectric MPBs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); Spallation Neutron Source
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1089324
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 111; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English