MAGNETIC AND MAGNETOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF AMORPHOUS AND CRYSTALLINE TBFE2HX HYDRIDES

The crystal structure, magnetic and magnetoelastic properties of TbFe2 Hx hydrides (x less-than-or-equal-to 4.2), amorphous TbFe2H2.5 hydride and amorphous TbFe2 obtained by mechanical grinding have been investi gated. It is established that the structure of atomic short-range orde r in the amorphous hydride is quite different from that in the mechani cally ground sample. Both the introduction of hydrogen and amorphizati on is shown to cause a decrease in the magnetic moment and the magneto striction, and a weakening of Tb-Fe and Fe-Fe exchange interactions. T he changes in the magnetic properties of the samples are interpreted i n terms of a supposition of random anisotropy and non-collinear magnet ic structure in the Tb sublattice.