Magnetic Properties and Magnetoresistance Effect of YMn6 Sn6—x Crx （x=0—0.8） Compounds

The magnetic properties and magnetoresistance effect of YMn6Sn6-x Crx(x=0-0.8) compounds have been experimentally studied by magnetic properties and resistivity measurements in the applied field range 0-5T.The compound (x=0.8) displays a ferromagnetic behaviour,while the compounds (x=0-0.4) display an antiferromagnetic behaviour in the whole ordering temperature range.The compounds(x=0.5,0.6) experienced a transition from an antiferromagnetic state to a ferromagnetic state with increasing temperature.The compound with x=0.8 is rapidly saturated in the lower magnetic field with saturation magnetization of 35.92emu/g.The compounds(x=0-0.6) display a field-induced metamagnetic transition,and the threshold fields decrease with increasing Cr content.The cell-volume V of compounds(x=0-0.8) increases,and the ordering temperature decreases with the increasing Cr content.A large magnetoresistance effect was observed for the compounds (x=0.4,0.5),and the maximum absolute value at 5K are 32% and 24% under 5T for x=0.4 and x=0.5,respectively.     

Magnetic properties of TbMn6Sn6-xGax (x=0.0－1.2) compounds

Effects of Ga substitution for Sn on the structure and magnetic properties of TbMn₆Sn_6-xGa_x (x=0.0－1.2) compounds have been investigated by means of x-ray diffraction, magnetization measurement and ¹¹⁹Sn M?ssbauer spectroscopy. The substitution of Ga for Sn results in a decrease in lattice constants and unit-cell volumes. The magnetic ordering temperature decreases monotonically with increasing Ga content from 423 K for x=0.0 to 390 K for x=1.2. At room temperature, the easy magnetization direction changes from the c-axis to the ab-plane. This variation implies that the substitution of Ga for Sn leads to a decrease in the c-axis anisotropy of the Tb sublattice. An increase in the non-magnetic Ga concentration results in a monotonic decrease of the spontaneous magnetization M_s at room temperature. Since there are three non-equivalent Sn sites, 2c (0.33, 0.67,0), 2d (0.33, 0.67,0.5) and 2e (0,0,0.34) in the TbMn₆Sn_6-xGa_x compounds, the ¹¹⁹Sn M?ssbauer spectra of the TbMn₆Sn₆ and TbMn₆Sn_5.4Ga_0.6 compounds can be fitted by three sextets. The hyperfine fields (HFs) decrease in the order of HF(2d)>HF(2e)>HF(2c), which is in agreement with the magnetic structure.     

Magnetic Properties and Magnetoresistance of HfFe6Ge6—Type Er1—xGdxMn6Ge6 and Ho1—xGdxMn6Ge6（0.2≤x≤0.9） Compounds

Magnetic properties and magnetoresistance effects of the Er1-xGdxMn6Ge6 and Ho1-xGdxMn6Ge6 (0.2≤x≤0.9) compounds have been studied by magnetic property and resistivity measurements in applied magnetic field up to 5T. For increasing Gd content, two series display a transition from the antiferromagnetic state to the ferrimagnetic state. The Er1-xGdxMn6Ge6 (x=0.2 and 0.5) and Ho1-xGdxMn6Ge6(x=0.2 and 0.4) compounds order antiferromagnetically at 430,432,423 and 425K, respectively. The Er1-xMn6Ge6 (x=0.8 and 0.9) and Ho1-xGdxMn6Ge6(x=0.7,0.8 and 0.9) compounds order ferrimagnetically at 462, 471, 450, 463 and 470K, respectively. The Er1-xGdxMn6Ge6 and Ho1-xGdxMn6Ge6 compounds undergo the second transitions below 71 and 82K, respectively. The magnetoresistance curves of the Er0.1Gd0.9Mn6Ge6 and Ho0.1Gd0.9Mn6Ge6 compounds in a field of 5T are presented and the magnetoresistance effects are related to the metamagnetic transistions.     

Magnetism and magnetoresistance of Er1-xSmxMn6Ge6(x=0.2－1.0) compounds

Magnetic and transport properties of Er_{1-x}Sm_xMn_6Ge_6(x=0.2-1.0) have been investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and magnetization measurement. Analysis of the XRD patterns indicates that the samples with x≤0.4 mainly consist of HfFe_6Ge_6-type phase and the samples with 0.6≤x≤1.0 mainly consist of YCo_6Ge_6-type phase (P6/mmm). The lattice constants and the unit cell volume increase with increasing Sm content. The antiferro－ferri－ferromagnetic transitions can be observed with increasing Sm content. The samples with x=0.2 and 0.4 order antiferromagnetically at 420 and 425K, respectively. The samples with x=0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 order from ferri- to ferromagnetically over the whole magnetic ordering temperature range. The corresponding Curie temperatures are 435, 441 and 446K, respectively. The magnetoresistance (MR) isotherms of the sample with x=0.8, measured at various temperatures, are analysed. The magnitude of MR is found to be positive below 55K and gradually increases to a relatively large value of about 5.02% at 5K in a field of 5T as the temperature is lowered. A possible explanation for the positive MR is given.     

Magnetic properties and magnetoresistance of HfFe2Ge2-type Dy1-xGdxMn6Ge6 (x=0.1－0.6) compounds

The magnetic properties and magnetoresistance effects of Dy_{1-x}Gd_xMn_6Ge_6 (x=0.1－0.6) compounds have been studied by magnetic properties and resistivity measurements in applied magnetic fields up to 5T. The compounds with x=0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.5 order antiferromagnetically at 425, 428, 430 and 432K, respectively, and there are second magnetic phase transitions below 100K. The compound with x=0.6 exhibits a transition from ferrimagnetic to antiferromagnetic, then to ferrimagnetic state again with decreasing temperature. Furthermore, it displays a field-induced metamagnetic transition, and its threshold field decreases with increasing temperature. The magnetoresistance curve of the compound with x=0.6 in applied magnetic fields up to 5T is presented and the magnetoresistance effects are related to the metamagnetic transitions.     

STRUCTURE, MAGNETIC PROPERTIES AND GIANT MAGNETORESISTANCE OF YMn6Sn6-xGax (x=0-0.6) COMPOUNDS

Structure, magnetic and transport properties of YMn₆Sn_6-xGa_x (0≤x≤0.6) compounds with a HfFe₆Ge₆-type structure were investigated. It was found that the Ga substitution leads to a contraction of the unit-cell volume. A transition from an antiferromagnetic to a ferromagnetic (or ferrimagnetic) state can be observed for samples (0.1≤x≤0.2) with increasing temperature. The antiferro-ferromagnetic transition for samples with x≤0.2 can also be induced by an external field. The required field is very low, and decreases with increasing Ga concentration. More Ga concentration (x≥0.3) leads to the samples being ferromagnetic in the whole temperature range below the Curie temperature. The Ga substitution weakens the interlayer magnetic coupling between the Mn spins. Corresponding to the metamagnetic transition, a magnetoresistance as large as 32% under a field of 5 T was observed at 5 K for the sample with x=0.2.     

EFFECT OF THE SUBSTITUTION OF Ga ON THE STRUCTURE AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF Dy2Fe17 COMPOUND

Dy₂Fe_17-xGa_x (x = 0,1,2,3,4, 5 and 6) compounds were prepared by arc melting. These compounds are of single phase, having a hexagonal Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure fox x=0 and rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure for x≥1. The substitution of Ga for Fe in the Dy₂Fe₁₇ leads to a linear increase of unit-cell volumes. The saturation magnetization M_s at 1.5K is found to decrease linearly with increasing Ga concentration, from 65emu/g for x= 0 to 5emu/g for x = 6; and the Fe magnetic moment μ_Fe is almost independent of Ga concentration. The Curie temperature T_C is found first to increase with increasing Ga content x, and goes through a maximum value of 559 K at about x = 3, then decreases. The sharp increase of T_C at lower Ga content may result from the increase of unit cell volumes. Dy₂Fe_17-xGa_x compounds with x≤5 exhibit easy plane anisotropy at room temperature, and those with x = 6 possess easy-axis.     

FORMATION AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF Dy2Fe17-xMnxC(x = 0-17) PREPARED BY ARC-MELTING

We report on alloys formed by replacing iron with manganese in the compound Dy₂Fe₁₇C_1.0 Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measure-ments, The 2:17-type structure can be crystallized in the whole range of manganese substitution. The Curie temperature of the series of Dy₂Fe_17-xMn_xC_1.0(x= 0-17) drops down considerably from 515K for x = 0 to about 20K for compounds with high manganese concentration, and the compensation point was observed in a narrow range of x≈4-6. The rapid decrease of the magnetization shows that the manganese substitution is not a simple magnetic dilution to the transition-metal sublattice mo-ment, it indicates that the moment of Mn may be antiparallel to that of Fe. The field dependence of the magnetization of Dy₂Fe_17-xMn_xC_1.0 may indicate the existence of the nonlinear magnetic structure for the samples with high Mn conoentrations.     

Effects of the Mn/Co ratio on the magnetic transition and magnetocaloric properties of Mn1+xCo1-xGe alloys

We have investigated the magnetic transition and magnetocaloric effects of Mn 1+x Co 1 x Ge alloys by tuning the ratio of Mn/Co.With increasing Mn content,a series of first-order magnetostructural transitions from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic states with large changes of magnetization are observed at room temperature.Further increasing the content of Mn (x=0.11) gives rise to a single second-order magnetic transition.Interestingly,large low-field magnetic entropy changes with almost zero magnetic hysteresis are observed in these alloys.The effects of Mn/Co ratio on magnetic transition and magnetocaloric effects are discussed in this paper.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Dy2Co17—xMnx compounds

Using x-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements, we have studied the structural and magnetic properties of Dy₂Co_17-xMn_x (x=0∽5) compounds with a rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure. With an increasing Mn concentration x, the unit-cell volume V was found to increase linearly. The Curie temperature T_c decreases linearly, and the saturation magnetization M_s at 5K first increases slightly for x<1, then decreases rapidly for x>1 with a further increase of Mn concentration x. In compounds for x=1～3, a spin reorientation was found. A magnetic diagram of the compounds is given.     

ENHANCEMENT OF FERROMAGNETIC CLUSTER INDUCED BY MAGNETIC FIELD IN THE PHASE-SEPARATED La0.5Ca0.5MnO3

Magnetic and transport properties of La_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃ have been investigated by measuring the magnetization and resistance in zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) modes. Conspicuously irreversible behaviors of magnetization/resistance in the two different modes were observed below the charge ordering transition temperature (T_CO). The ZFC and FC magnetizations at 5K, as functions of the magnetic field, coincide for μ₀H≤1T. Afterwards, the ZFC magnetization tends to an approximate constant, but the FC one increases linearly with increasing field. There exists an excellent correspondence between magnetization and resistance below T_CO. All the results suggest that the ferromagnetic clusters embed in the charge-ordered matrix. The phenomenon of ferromagnetic clusters growing up easily in the FC procedure has been interpreted according to the model of thermally activated two-level system.     

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Mn5Ge3-xGax

We report on the magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of Mn5Ge3-xGax compounds with x=0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.6 and 0.9. All samples crystallize in the hexagonal Mn5Si3-type structure with space group P63/mcm and order ferromagnetically.The Curie temperature of these compounds decreases with increasing x, from 306K (x=0.1) to 274K (x=0.9).The average Mn magnetic moments increases with increasing Ga content,reaching a maximum value at x=0.6.The magnetic entropy changes in these compounds are determined from the temperature and field dependence of the magnetization using the thermodynamic Maxwell relation.The Ga substitution has two kinds of influence on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of Mn5Ge3.One is that the magnitude of the magnetic entropy change decreases,the other is that the MCE peak becomes broadened.     

EFFECT OF MANGANESE SUBSTITUTION IN R2AlFe16-x Mnx(R=Y,Ho,Nd AND Pr)COMPOUNDS ON STRUCTURAL AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES

The structural and magnetic properties of R₂AlFe_16-xMn_x(0≤x≤8 for Y,Ho,0≤x≤10 for Pr, 0≤x≤16 for Nd)compounds have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements.The R₂AlFe_16-xMn_x compounds have a hexagonal Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure for R=Y and Ho, and a rhombohedral Th₂Zn₁₇-type structure for Nd and Pr.With increasing x,the unit-cell volumes have a small increase initially,followed by a greater linear increase.The Curie temperature and the saturation magnetizati on of these compounds show marvelous drop with increasing x.Compensation point was observed in the temperature dependence of the magnetization for Ho₂AlFe₁₂Mn₄ compound.     

MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF Dy2Fe17-xCrx AND Er2Fe17-xCrx(x=0-3)COMPOUNDS

The crystal structure and magnetic properties of R₂Fe_17-xCr_x(R=Dy,Er,0≤x≤3) compounds have been investigated by me ans of X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. These compounds have hexagonal Th₂Ni₁₇-type structure. The unit-cell volumes decrease with the increase of Cr concentration x. The Curie temperature T_c of the Er₂Fe_17-xCr_x compounds increases from 320 K for x=0 to 403 K for x=1.0 and then decreases with further increase of x. The Cur ie temperat ure T_c of Dy₂Fe_17-xCr_x compounds increases from 364 K for x=0 to 435 K for x=1.0 and then decreases with further increase of x. The saturation magnetization of these compounds shows an approximately linear decrease with the increase of x. Spin reorientation transitions occur s in Er₂Fe_17-xCr_x(x=2.0 and 3.0).     

THERMALLY ACTIVATED HOPPING IN Dy1-xPrxBa2Cu3O7-δ SYSTEM

The temperature dependence of resistivity in Dy_1-xPr_xBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ system with x>0.6 was measured. The experimental results show that Pr substitution leads to the localization of mobile holes and such a localization is enhanced with increasing Pr concentration. The gradually enhancing of localization induces Anderson transitions one by one in this system, including the transition from the conduction by excitation of holes to the one by thermal activation hopping between localized states, the so called Anderson transition type-I, and the transition from nearest neighbor hopping (NNH) to variable range hopping (VRH), the Anderson transition type-II, and the Anderson transition type-lI from 3D to 2D.     

Doping effects on structural and magnetic evolutions of orthoferrite SmFe（1-x） Alx O3

The structural and magnetic properties of SmFeO3 with B site substitution of non-magnetic atom A1 are investigated. The x-ray diffraction patterns show that SmFe（1-x）AlxO3 remains an orthorhombic structure within the whole doping range, and the unit-cell volume decreases monotonically with the increase of doped A1 concentration. Besides, the octa- hedral tilting distortions of FeO6 are found to be alleviated while the tolerance factor increases. However, the relationship between the lattice parameters and Al concentration is observed to deviate from Vegard＇s rule, and this may be caused by magnetostriction effects. For the doping content values in a range 0 〈 x 〈 0.6, the ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, and paramagnetism are observed to occur continuously. Moreover, the magnetization and the spin reorientation temperature （Tk） decrease monotonically as Al content value increases. With the doping content values being x = 0.8 and 1.0, these compounds only show paramagnetic behavior.     

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects in Er_(1-x)Gd_xCoAl intermetallic compounds

The magnetism and magnetocaloric effect in Er1-xGdxCoAl(x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1) were investigated. The Er1-xGdxCoAl compounds were synthesized by arc melting. With the increasing Gd content, the N′eel temperature(T N)linearly increases from 14 K to 102 K, while the magnetic entropy change(-?S M) tends to decrease nonmonotonously.Under the field change from 0 T to 5 T, the-?S M of the compounds with x = 0.2–1 are stable around 10 J/kg·K, then a cooling platform between 20 K and 100 K can be formed by combining these compounds. For x = 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, the compounds undergo two successive magnetic transitions, one antiferromagnetism to ferromagnetism and the other ferromagnetism to paramagnetism, with increasing temperature. The two continuous magnetic transitions in this series are advantageous to broaden the temperature span of half-peak width(δT) in the-?S M–T curve and improve the refrigeration capacity.     

Magnetic phase transition and the corresponding magnetostriction of intermetallic compounds RMnsGe2（R=Sm,Gd）

The temperature dependence of lattice constants a and c of intermetallic compounds RMn₂Ge₂ (R=Sm, Gd) is measured in the temperature range 10－800K by using the x-ray diffraction method. The magnetoelastic anomalies of lattice constants are found at the different kinds of spontaneous magnetic transitions. The transversal and longitudinal magnetostrictions of polycrystalline samples are measured in the pulse magnetic field up to 25T. In the external magnetic field there occurs a first-order field-induced antiferromagnetism－ferromagnetism transition in the Mn sublattice, which gives rise to a large magnetostriction. The magnitude of magnetostrictions is as large as 10^-3. The transversal and longitudinal magnetostrictions have the same sign and are almost equal. This indicates that the magnetostriction is isotropic and mainly caused by the interlayer Mn－Mn exchange interaction. The experimental results are explained in the framework of a two-sublattice ferrimagnet with the negative exchange interaction in one of the sublattices by taking into account the lattice constant dependence of interlayer Mn－Mn exchange interaction.     

FORMATION AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF NEW COMPOUNDS R3Fe29-xCrx(R=Y,Ce,Nd,Sm,Gd,Tb,and Dy)

A systematic investigation of structure and magnetic properties of the new R₃Fe_29-xCr_x compounds(R=Y,Ce,Nd,Sm,Gd, Tb,and Dy)has been performed. The Curie temperature of R₃Fe_29-xCr_x increased with increasing atomic number fromR=Ce to Gd and de creased from Gd to Dy. The saturation magnetization of R₃Fe_29-xCr_x at 4.2 K decreased gradually with increasing atomic number from R=Y to Dy,except for Ce. The spin reorientations of the easy magnetization d irection were observed at around 230 K for Nd₃Fe_24.5Cr_4.5 and 180 K for Tb₃Fe_28.0Cr_1.0,and the magnetohistory effects were obser ved for Nd₃Fe_24.5Cr_4.5 and Sm₃Fe_24.0Cr_5.0 in a low field of about 0.04 T. First order magnetization process occurs in magnetic field of around 2.3 T at room temperature for Tb₃Fe_28.0Cr_1.0. The saturation magnetization of Y₃Fe_27.2Cr_1.8 at 4.2 K is 52.2μ_B/f.u., which corresponds to an average magnetic moment of 1.92μ_B per each Fe atom.     

Magnetism and magnetic entropy change in LaFe11Al2Cx compounds around room temperature

Magnetism and magnetic entropy changes in LaFe11A12Cx(x=0.0, 0.2 and 0.5) compounds have been investigated.The Curie temperature TC is conveniently controlled from 200K to room temperature by varying the carbon concentration.Large magnetic entropy change is obtained over a wide temperature range due to the high magnetization and the drastic decrease in the magnetization around TC.The large magnetic entropy change in wide temperature range,low cost and the convenience of controlling TC suggest that the LaFe11Al2Cx compounds are promising candidates for magnetic refrigerants in the corresponding temperature range.