Magnetocrystalline anisotropy in Y(Co0.85Al0.15)2 with the C15 cubic Laves phase structure

Abstract

The temperature dependence of the first magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant K1 has been deduced from the analysis of isothermal magnetization curves I(H) for polycrystalline Y(Co0.85Al0.15)2 samples with the C15 cubic Laves phase structure. The magnitude of K1 is equal to 7.6*104 erg cm-3 at T=7 K and falls rapidly with increasing temperature. K1 has a negative sign over the temperature range investigated from 7 to 20 K, i.e. below TC=25 K. The results of the anisotropy study are used to explain the low-field magnetic behaviour of the Y(Co0.85Al0.15)2 alloy.