Dy substitution effect on the temperature dependences of magnetostriction in Pr_1-xDy_xFe_1.9 alloys

The temperature dependences of magnetostriction in Pr_1-xDy_xFe_1.9 (0≤x≤1.0) alloys between 5 K and 300 K were investigated. An unusual decrease of magnetostriction with temperature decreasing was found in Pr-rich alloys (0≤x≤0.2), due to the change of the easy magnetization direction (EMD). Dy substitution reduces the magnetostriction in high-magnetic field (10 kOe≤H≤90 kOe) at 5 K, while a small amount of Dy substitution (x=0.05) is beneficial to increasing the magnetostriction in low-magnetic field between 10 K and 50 K. This makes the alloys a potential candidate for low temperature applications.