Magnetism of Interstitial Atoms in Transition and Rare-Earth Metals

The ferromagnetic exchange splitting of the 3d electron band was found to play an important role in the physical nature of self-interstitial atoms in bec Fe. This effect is related to the problem of the large magnetic moment of Fe-N, in which the Fe-Fe atomic distance also plays an important role. The threshold energy for defect creation has been explained using a model d band in the series of transition elements. The anomalously low value for bec Fe is explained by considering the magnetic energy and the non-quenched orbitals of 3d band electrons. The interstitial migration temperatures of the transition metals, including the anomalously high value for bec Fe, are explained. The high interstitial migration temperature in rare-earth metals is also discussed in relation to the overlap of the 4f electron wave functions.