Determination of Magnetostrictive Stresses in Magnetic Rare-Earth Superlattices by a Cantilever Method

Abstract

The magnetostrictive stress for a Ho6/Y6 superlattice has been determined at low temperatures by means of a capacitive cantilever technique. The magnetostrictive stress responsible for the basal plane distortion is found to be strongly enhanced with respect to bulk holmium. An explanation accounting for the unusual thermal dependence of that stress is offered.