In-situ studies of low-field large magnetostriction in Tb1−xDyxFe2 compounds by synchrotron-based high-energy x-ray diffraction

Abstract

Partial substitution of Dy for Tb in TbFe2 compounds results in improved magnetostriction with high strains obtained at low fields. The structural evolutions of TbFe2 and Tb0.4Dy0.6Fe2 compounds are studied in situ using synchrotron-based high-energy x-ray diffraction under an applied magnetic field. It is found that the rhombohedral distortion in TbFe2 is remarkably reduced by substituting Dy for Tb. When a low magnetic field is applied, a preferential rearrangement of rhombohedral domains is directly evidenced in TbFe2 and Tb0.4Dy0.6Fe2 compounds. Based on the concept of crystallographic domain-switching, the enhancement in the magnetostriction in Tb1−xDyxFe2 compounds is discussed.