Dependence of the magnetization and remanence of single-domain particles on the second cubic anisotropy constant

Magnetization and remanent magnetization curves for noninteracting single-d omain particles with cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy have been calculat ed, taking into account the first two anisotropy constants. The dependencie s of the saturation remanence, coercivity, remanence coercivity, and deltaM plots on the anisotropy constants ratio have been discussed. It has been f ound that the calculated saturation remanence shows maxima in the vicinity of the spin-reorientation transition points for both negative and positive first cubic anisotropy constants. The remanent magnetization for the case w hen the face diagonals < 110 > are the easiest magnetization orientations h as been analytically determined as well. It has been shown that when more t han one type of easiest directions coexist, the remanence of the system can only be obtained numerically because of the history dependence of the rema nent magnetization for some particles' configurations. The predicted remane nce behavior for systems representing spin-reorientation has been compared with that of a Tb0.6Ho0.4Fe2 powder sample, and an excellent agreement betw een numerical and experimental data has been found. (C) 2001 American Insti tute of Physics.