Magnetic properties of Nd2(Fe1-xMx)14B measured on single crystals (M =Al, Cr, Mn and Co)

Temperature dependence of magnetization and anisotropy field of Nd2(Fe1-xMx)14B, where M = Al( ), Cr(x=0.05), Mn(x=0.05) and Co( ), have been measured on single crystal samples grown by the floating zone melting technique. Substitution with M for Fe in Nd2Fe14B has been found to shift the spin reorientation transition temperature toward low temperatures and, at the some time, to increase the anisotropy field below room temperature. To investigate microscopic origins of the observed changes in the magnetic properties, concentrations of the M atoms at inequivalent Fe sites have been studied by the neutron diffraction technique, and preferency of Al and Mn atoms for the 8j2site has been evidenced.