Crystallographic and magnetic properties of the quaternary rare-earth-transition-metal boron nitrides R₂Fe₁₄BN_0.1 (R = Nd and Sm)

Quaternary rare-earth-transition-metal boron nitrides, R₂Fe₁₄BN_0.1 (R = Nd and Sm), have been synthesized by arc melting. The bond of boron nitride (BN) can be broken by arc melting to allow combination with rare-earth and transition-metal atoms. The structure and magnetic properties of these quaternary compounds have been studied by means of x-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, and alternating-current initial-susceptibility and magnetization measurements. The R₂Fe₁₄BN_0.1 (R = Nd and Sm) compounds have the tetragonal Nd₂Fe₁₄B-type structure with space group P4₂/mnm. The Curie temperature and magnetic anisotropy of the compound Nd₂Fe₁₄B are slightly enhanced by introducing nitrogen into the lattice of Nd₂Fe₁₄B. The spin-reorientation temperature of Nd₂Fe₁₄BN_0.1 is the same as that of Nd₂Fe₁₄B.