Impact of hydrogen and carbon insertion on the fundamental characteristicsof ErMn12-xFex compounds

The structural and magnetic properties of ErMn12-xFexXy compounds (X = H, C ) have been studied by neutron diffraction experiments. After hydrogenation and carburisation, thanks to the extension of the 3d-3d distances, a subse quent increase of the 3d-3d exchange forces leads to markedly higher ferrom agnetic ordering temperatures. Important modifications of the magnetocrysta lline anisotropy of the starting compounds are observed to directly depend on the nature of the inserted element. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.