Magnetocrystalline anisotropy of rare earth intermetallics

The peculiarities of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the rare earth intermetallics are discussed briefly. Only the part of the magnetic anisotropy energy related to the rare earth ion system is analyzed. This anisotropy in most cases can be satisfactorily described in terms of a single-ion model. Theory and experiment relating to magnetocrystalline anisotropy of RCo5compounds are reviewed as an example (R is one of the rare earths or yttrium).