Magnetic anisotropy of the Nd2Fe14B compound and its hydride Nd2Fe14BH4

Magnetization curves of single crystals of Nd 2 Fe 14 B and its hydride Nd 2 Fe 14 BH 4 have been measured along their principal crystallographic directions in a temperature range of 4.2–280 K. The magnetic anisotropy constants, which allow one to describe experimental magnetization curves as well as the low-temperature “easy-cone”-type magnetic structure and field-induced first-order magnetic phase transitions, have been determined in terms of a collinear-ferrimagnetic-ordering model. The anisotropy constants were shown to decrease in magnitude upon hydrogenation. In this case, the ratios of the effective fourth-and sixth-order constants to the second-order constant increase, whereas the constants responsible for the basal-plane anisotropy exhibit a more than threefold decrease. At the same time, the spin-reorientation temperature and opening of the magnetization cone at 4.2 K remain virtually unchanged. The results obtained are discussed in terms of the single-ion-anisotropy theory.