HIGH-FIELD MAGNETIZATION STUDIES OF NDNI5

Magnetization studies on single-crystalline NdNi5 in external fields u p to 35 T are reported. NdNi5 is a ferromagnet with a T-C of 7.2 K and the easy magnetic direction is along the a direction. The spontaneous magnetic moment is 2.1 mu(B)/f.u. Along the c-axis, the magnetization amounts to 1.65 mu(B)/f.u. at 35 T. The magnetization process is anal yzed within the crystalline-electric-field approach in combination wit h exchange interactions, taking into account the contribution of the N i sublattice. The studies confirm that the charge-formed ground state of the f(3) (Nd3+) subsystem is the state Gamma(8) with a dominant \+/ - 5/2] contribution. The full magnetization curves, up to 300 T, have been calculated. The magnetization curve along the c-axis proceeds to saturation with a metamagnetic-like transition at 150 T.