MAGNETIC PROPERTIES AND KERR ROTATION IN AMORPHOUS Ce-Fe AND Pr-Fe ALLOYS

Abstract
Several amorphous Ce-Fe and Pr-Fe alloys were prepared by means of vapour-deposition and their magnetic properties were studied. The Ce_1-xFe_x alloys are ferromagnetic with magnetic ordering temperatures below room temperature, even for Fe concentrations as high as 90 at% Fe. In the Pr_1-xFe_x alloys magnetic ordering appears to be more complex than ferromagnetic. Magnetic ordering temperatures are in excess of room temperature. At low temperatures the intrinsic coercive force is appreciable. At higher temperature it decreases strongly according to the relation _IH_c^-1αT. Due to the low ordering temperature the room temperature Kerr rotation is very low in Ce_1-xFe_x. Much higher values are observed in Pr_1-xFe_x. Here the concentration dependence of the Kerr rotation gives rise to a maximum near 80 at% Fe.