Direct measurements of the correlation between reentrant ferromagnetism and lattice expansion in FeCuZr alloys

Abstract

Amorphous metastable alloy of nominal composition [Fe_(0.5)Cu_(0.5)]_(87)Zr_(13) has been synthesized by high-energy ball milling. The alloy exhibit a ferromagnetic behavior with a Curie Temperature of T_(C)=255 K, as determined from low-field measurements whereas no transition to a paramagnetic state is observed under high- enough applied magnetic fields. The evolution of hysteresis loops with temperature as well as thermoremanence measurements indicate an anomalous magnetic behavior characterized by a spontaneous increase in the magnetization values as well as by a magnetic hardening when the temperature is increased above T_(C). These effects are strongly correlated with a dilation of the Fe-Fe nearest-neighbor distances, as determined from extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) studies. EXAFS results indicate an almost negligible thermal expansion at temperatures below T_(C) while normal thermal expansion takes place at higher temperatures. Such expansion seems to promote a reinforcement of the ferromagnetic interactions among Fe-Fe atoms that would account for the observed spontaneous increase in the magnetization as well as for the evolution of the coercive field.