Structural and magnetic properties of Tb0.27Dy0.73Fe2-xNbx (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2)

In this paper, the effect of substituting Fe partially by the 4d element Nb on the structural and magnetic properties of Tb_0.27Dy_0.73Fe₂ is reported. Polycrystalline compounds of Tb_0.27Dy_0.73Fe_2-xNb_x (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2) were prepared by arc melting the constituent elements (rare earths-99.9 % pure, Fe and Nb -99.95 % pure) in an arc furnace under argon atmosphere. The ingots were annealed in vacuum at 950degC for a week. X-ray diffraction patterns of these compounds were taken using a PANalytical X-ray diffractrometer. Magnetization up to 12 kOe and Curie temperature (T_c) measurements were carried out using a PAR-155 vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Magnetostriction measurements at room temperature were carried out employing strain gauge method.