MAGNETIC-ANISOTROPY OF RCO(10)SI(2) COMPOUNDS (R=Y, GD, DY, HO, ER, TM)

The magnetic anisotropy of RCo(10)Si(2) compounds has been studied in the temperature range from 4.2 to 300 K by means of AC-susceptibility and magnetization measurements. GdCo10Si2 does not form and crystalliz es in the 1:11 phase which has a very low Curie temperature compared w ith the 1.12 compounds. The anisotropy field of YCo10Si2 decreases wit h increasing temperature. All 1:12 compounds investigated show easy-pl ane anisotropy at room temperature. In DyCo10Si2 and HoCo10Si2, spin-r eorientation transitions occur at 190 and 75 K, respectively, where th e anisotropy changes to easy-axis type. In ErCo10Si2, at 70 K, the eas y-magnetization direction changes from basal plane to cone.