Abstract:
The magnetic (H , T)-phase diagram of the orthorhombic compound NdCu2 was investigated for external magnetic fields up to 15 T parallel to the crystallographic c-direction. Magnetization and magnetostriction measurements reveal an anomalous change of the magnetic properties as well as giant magnetostriction (GMS) and large hysteretic effects. This behaviour is similar to that observed in some other RCu2 compounds where it has been interpreted as a conversion of the magnetic Ising axis. In contrast to these other RCu2 compounds, however, the easy axis of magnetization in NdCu2 is the b-axis. The macroscopic measurements are compared with neutron diffraction experiments which reveal GMS along the b-axis and a new magnetic phase with propagation vector in the converted crystal.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received 27 March 2000 and Received in final form 11 September 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kramp, S., Doerr, M., Rotter, M. et al. Magnetostructural transition in NdCu2 . Eur. Phys. J. B 18, 559–563 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510070002
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510070002