Abstract
Specific magnetic and magneto-thermal properties of Er2Fe14Si3, in the temperature range of 80–300K, have been investigated using basic laws of classical statistical mechanics in a simple model. In this model, the constructed partition function was used to derive, and therefore calculate the temperature and/or field dependence of a host of physical properties. Examples of these properties are: the magnetization, magnetic heat capacity, magnetic susceptibility, probability angular distribution of the magnetization vector, and the associated angular dependence of energy. We highlight a correlation between the energy of the system, its magnetization behavior and the angular location of the magnetization vector. Our results show that Er2Fe14Si3 is an easy-axis system in the temperature range 80–114K, but switches to an easy-plane system at T≥114K. This transition is also supported by both of the temperature dependence of the magnetic heat capacity, which develops a peak at a temperature ~114K, and the probability landscape which shows, in zero magnetic field, a prominent peak in the basal plane at T=113.5K.
•We calculate physical quantities of Er2Fe14Si3 using classical statistical mechanics.•Temperature-dependent magnetic properties showed a phase transition at ~114K.•Angular-dependent probability enhances understanding of the magnetization process.•Magnetization curves are compatible with the probability landscape.•Easy-axis to in-plane phase transition is demonstrated.