MAGNETIC AND MAGNETOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF BETA-UH3

A high positive spontaneous volume magnetostriction and a large high-f ield magnetic susceptibility accompanied by a considerable decrease of magnetic moment and Curie temperature under external pressure (with c lose values of dln(mu(u))/dp and dln(T-c)/dp) have been observed in fe rromagnetic beta-UH3. All these characteristics lead to the conclusion of a prevailing itinerant character of the magnetism and a strong del ocalization of the 5f electrons in this compound. This conclusion is a lso supported by a relatively low magnetic anisotropy and by a low ani sotropic magnetostriction of beta-UH3. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.