Magnetic properties, magnetic structure and crystal field in equiatomic rare earth-magnesium compounds

The magnetic properties and magnetic structure of some equiatomic rare earth-magnesium compounds RMg (R = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) have been investigated by magnetization measurements on single crystals and neutron diffraction. The magnetic structures are all different and intermediate between the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic (00π)-type structures. The magnetization anisotropy in high fields allows a determination of crystal field parameters. The fourth-order parameter A4 is positive in RMg compounds contrary to isomorphous compounds with transition metals. (author)