Magnetic Anisotropy of R2Co17 Compounds (R = Er, Tm, Yb)

Saturation moments, easy direction of magnetization, anisotropy field,and anisotropy constants have been determined at 4.2K and room temperature for Er2Co17, Tm2Co17 and Yb2Co17. The data obtained are compared with theoretical predictions. Y and Pr were substituted for Tm in Tm2Co17 to study site preferences and variations in the anisotropy field. The results indicate the C axis is retained in TmYCo17 and TmPrCo17 and the anisotropy field shows a slight increase in the Pr substituted ternaries.