Abstract
We have measured the lattice parameters a(T), b(T) and c(T) as a function of temperature T in the range 15 K<T<300 K for RZn2 (R=Gd, Tb or Dy) with the CeCu2-type crystal structure. Anisotropic thermal expansion is observed in the a(T), b(T) and c(T) against T plots for all materials investigated below the magnetic transition temperatures Ttr. The linear expansivity above Ttr along the b direction becomes small on varying the rare earth atom R in RZn2 from R=Gd to Dy to Tb. The sign of the change in c, Delta c/c, for GdZn2 below Ttr is positive while those for TbZn2 and DyZn2 are negative. The cell volume in all materials expands when magnetic orderings appear. The obtained results are qualitatively understood in terms of the phenomenological model in which the crystal field and magnetic exchange contributions to the thermal expansion are taken into account.
Published Version
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