Anisotropy of magnetic and transport properties in actinide intermetallics

We have studied the giant magnetic anisotropy, which is a characteristic feature of actinide intermetallics, for uranium ternary intermetallics crystallizing in various structure types. It is shown that the easy magnetization direction is in general oriented perpendicular to the direction(s) of the presumed strongest U-U bonding. Moreover, the coupling of magnetic moments is usually strong and ferromagnetic along this direction(s), whereas in direction(s) perpendicular to it, we observe weaker ferro- or antiferromagnetic coupling. This situation can be explained supposing the mechanism of the hybridization-induced exchange interaction and the related magnetic anisotropy.<
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