Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy and First-Order Magnetisation Processes in (Pr sub 1--x Nd sub x ) sub 2 Fe sub 14 B Compounds

The magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the pseudobinary (Pr sub 1--x Nd sub x ) sub 2 Fe sub 14 B compounds has been measured by using the singular point detection (SPD) technique. The measured temperature and composition dependence of the anisotropy fields has been compared with the data obtained in CEF approximations using different sets of {A exp m sub n } parameters for Nd sub 2 Fe sub 14 B and Pr sub 2 Fe sub 14 B and by considering a linear combination of the anisotropy in the mixed system. The comparison is made by calculating the anisotropy constants then the anisotropy field values, starting from the {A exp m sub n } parameters. Experimental and calculated data concerning the occurrence of spin reorientation transition (SRT) and of type 1 and type 2 first-order magnetisation processes (FOMP) as a function of composition have also been compared. Graphs. 34 ref.--AA