Neutron Diffraction Studies of the Transformation of Magnetic and Domain Structures upon Spin-Reorientation Transition in the Tm2Fe18 Ferrimagnet

Abstract

The crystalline and magnetic structure of the nonstoichiometric intermetallic compound Tm₂Fe₁₈ has been investigated in the temperature interval from 3 to 300 K using the methods of neutron diffraction, synchrotron radiation, and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering. A theoretical interpretation of the spin-reorientation transition has been given and the value and temperature dependence of the first constants of magnetic anisotropy for the sublattices of iron and thulium have been determined. Based on the results of experiments and theoretical interpretation of small-angle neutron scattering, a conclusion has been made on a reconstruction of the domain structure upon spin-reorientation phase transition.