Terbium Substitution Effects in CeFe2: Structure and Magnetic Properties

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of multicomponent compounds
$\text{Ce}_{1-x}\text{Tb}_{x} \text{Fe}_{2}$
(
$x$
= 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) are studied in this letter. Compounds crystallize in a structure of the MgCu
₂
type; the content of the second phase (PuNi
₃
-type, R3m space group) averaged 5%–8%. The parameters of the unit cell were determined and the surface of the sample was investigated by atomic force and magnetic force microscopy. In the temperature range 90–600 K, the magnetization of the alloys was investigated, and the Curie temperature was determined. Information was obtained on the magnetocaloric and magnetostrictive properties of the compounds under study.