Abstract
A brief survey of lanthanide transition metal magnetism is presented. Work currently in progress on the Laves phase compounds (Re)Mn sub 2 where (Re) is a lanthanide element is reviewed. Bulk measurements suggest a critical Mn--Mn separation for the stability of the Mn moment. Furthermore, the appearance of an ordered antiferromagnetic state is normally accompanied by a large first-order volume change, the volume change being attributed to the stability of the Mn moment. Analysis of thermal expansion data has led to the conclusion that longitudinal spin fluctuations characterize the paramagnetic state. Support for this interpretation has been provided by polarised neutron scattering experiments. Graphs. 35 ref.--AA