THE MAGNETIZATION OF GDAL2

The magnetization of a single crystal of GdAl//2 has been measured parallel to the easy direction as a function of field (maximum field 1. 7 T) within the temperature range 4. 2-300 K. The main emphasis was placed on the results obtained for the ferromagnetic phase. From an analysis based on molecular field theory it is deduced that the magnetic moment at 0 K is 7. 2 mu //B per Gd ion. The conduction electron polarization, parallel to the Gd ion moment, amounting to 0. 2 mu //B per Gd ion implies the presence of an internal field acting on the conduction electrons of approximately 200 T at 0 K.