Magnetic properties of Sm6Fe23 crystal

A single crystal of Sm6Fe23 was prepared by means of a modified self-flux m ethod, and its crystallographic magnetic properties were studied. Sm6Fe23 h as the cubic Th6Mn23-type structure (space group Fm3m) with a lattice const ant of a = 1.2187 +/-0.0006 nm. The easy axis of magnetization is parallel to the < 111 > direction. Its magnetic moment per unit formula deduced from the saturation magnetization is 59 mu (B) at 5 K, a value that is consiste nt with the value calculated assuming ferromagnetic coupling between the Sm and Fe sublattices. The cubic anisotropy constants K, and K, estimated fro m the magnetization curves of the [111], [110], and [100] directions are -2 .7 x 10(6) and 6.3x10(5) erg/cm(3), respectively, The anisotropy field H-A calculated from the anisotropy constants is 6.1 kOe. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.