Magnetic domain structure of the intermetallic RMn2Ge2 compounds (R identical to La, Ce, Pr, Nd).

Applying the powder pattern method the magnetic domain structures of the polycrystalline intermetallic RMn2Ge2 (where R identical to La, Ce, Pr, Nd) compounds were studied on the grain surfaces parallel and perpendicular to the easy direction of magnetization. The domain structures observed are typical for uniaxial materials. The domain wall energy density gamma was determined from the dependence of the domain width D on the crystal thickness L in the magnetically preferred direction, applying different models of the domain structure. A good agreement was obtained between the values of the domain wall energy as determined from the Kittel's model (gamma = 6,2 mJ/m3) and Hubert's model (gamma = 6,4 mJ/m3 for the LaMn2Ge2 compound.