Giant Volume Magnetostriction Caused by Itinerant Electron Metamagnetic Transition and Pronounced Invar Effects in La(Fe_xSi_(1-x))_(13) Compounds

A first-order itinerant electron metamagnetic (IEM) transition above the Curie temperature Tc for ferromagnetic La(Fe_xSi_1-x)13 compounds has been confirmed by applying magnetic field. The volume change just above T_C for x=0.88 is huge of about 1.5%, which is caused by a large magnetic moment induced by the IEM transition. These compounds have a possibility for practical applications as giant magnetostrictive materials. Pronounced Invar effects bring about a negative thermal expansion below TC, closely correlated with the negative mode-mode coupling among spin fluctuations.

Large reversible magnetocaloric effect induced by metamagnetic transition in antiferromagnetic HoNiGa compound

The magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects （MCE） of HoNiGa compound are investigated systematically. The HoNiGa exhibits a weak antiferromagnetic （AFM） ground state below the Neel temperature TN of 10 K, and the AFM ordering could be converted into ferromagnetic （FM） ordering by external magnetic field. Moreover, the fie/d-induced FM phase exhibits a high saturation magnetic moment and a large change of magnetization around the transition temperature, which then result in a large MCE. A large -△SM of 22.0 J/kg K and a high RC value of 279 J/kg without magnetic hysteresis are obtained for a magnetic field change of 5 T, which are comparable to or even larger than those of some other magnetic refrigerant materials in the same temperature range. Besides, the μ0H2/3 dependence of ｜△SPKM｜ well follows the linear fitting according to the mean-field approximation, suggesting the nature of second-order FM-PM magnetic transition under high magnetic fields. The large reversible MCE induced by metamagnetic transition suggests that HoNiGa compound could be a promising material for magnetic refrigeration in low temperature range.

Metamagnetic transitions and anomalous magnetoresistance in EuAg4As2 crystals

In this work,we systematically studied the magnetic and transport properties of EuAg4As2 single crystals.It was found that the two antiferromagnetic transitions(TN1=10 K and TN2=15 K)were driven to lower temperatures by an applied magnetic field.Below TN1,two successive metamagnetic transitions were observed when a magnetic field was applied in the ab plane(H//abplane).For both H//ab and H//c,EuAg4As2 showed a positive,unexpectedly large magnetoresistance(up to 202%)in lower magnetic fields below TN1,and a large negative magnetoresistance(up to-78%)at high fields/intermediate temperatures,thus presenting potential applications in magnetic sensors.Finally,the magnetic phase diagrams of EuAg4As2 were constructed for both H//ab and H//c using the resistivity and magnetisation data.

Experimental evidence for field-induced metamagnetic transition of EuCd_(2)As_(2)

Recent studies have shown that layered compound EuCd_(2)As_(2) could exhibit diverse topological states depending on the different magnetic structures,such as Weyl semimetal,Dirac semimetal and topological insulato r.In order to further study the interplay between magnetism and topology of EuCd_(2)As_(2),it is necessary to figure out its magnetic structure.Here,by magnetization(M) measurements and negative magnetostriction(λ) along the [001] direction measured by scanning tunneling microscopy on EuCd_(2)As_(2) single crystals,we observe field-induced metamagnetic phase transition from A-type antiferromagnetic(AFM) ground state to field-polarized state,with canted AFM(CAFM) state in between.Magnetization and magnetostriction are more sensitive to the in-plane field than the out-of-plane field,indicating the magnetic moments lying in the ab plane.The absence of abrupt jump on M-H and λ-H curves demonstrates that the phase transition is a second-order type.In CAFM state,M increases linearly with the field and λ is proportional to M~2.Tunneling conductance spectra show the field-induced evolution of the electronic density of states.Our results provide experimental evidence for understanding the magnetic structure of EuCd_(2)As_(2).

Influences of P doping on magnetic phase transition and structure in MnCoSi ribbon

The structure and magnetic properties of MnCoSil_xPx （x = 0.054）.50） are systematically investigated. With P content increasing, the lattice parameter a increases monotonically while both b and c decrease. At the same time, the temperature of metamagnetic transition from a low-temperature non-collinear ferromagnetic state to a high-temperature ferromagnetic state decreases and a new magnetic transition from a higher-magnetization ferromagnetic state to a lower- magnetization ferromagnetic state is observed in each of these compounds for the first time. This is explained by the changes of crystal structure and distance between Mn and Si atoms with the increase of temperature according to the high- temperature XRD result. The metamagnetic transition is found to be a second-order magnetic transition accompanied by a low inversed magnetocaloric effect （1.0 J·kg-1 ·K- 1 at 5 T） with a large temperature span （190 K at 5 T） compared with the scenario of MnCoSi. The changes in the order of metamagnetic transition and structure make P-doped MoCoSi compounds good candidates for the study of magnetoelastic coupling and the modulation of magnetic phase transition.

Magnetic ordering induced magnetodielectric effect in Ho_(2)Cu_(2)O_(5) and Yb_(2)Cu_(2)O_(5)

Materials with strongly coupled magnetic and electronic degrees of freedom provide new possibilities for practical applications.In this paper,we have investigated the structure,magnetic property,and magnetodielectric(MD) effect in Ho_(2)Cu_(2)O_(5) and Yb_(2)Cu_(2)O_(5) poly crystalline samples,which possess a non-centrosymmetric polar structure with space group Pna2_(1).In Ho_(2)Cu_(2)O_(5),Ho^(3+) and Cu^(2+) sublattices order simultaneously,exhibiting a typical paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition at 13.1 K.While for Yb_(2)Cu_(2)O_(5),two magnetic transitions which originate from the orderings of Yb^(3+)(7.8 K) and Cu^(2+)(13.5 K) sublattices are observed.A magnetic field induced metamagnetic transition is obtained in these two cuprates below Neel temperature(T_(N)).By means of dielectric measurement,distinct MD effect is demonstrated by the dielectric anomaly at T_(N.)Meanwhile,the MD effect is found to be directly related to the metamagnetic transition.Due to the specific spin configuration and different spin evolution in the magnetic field,a positive MD effect is formed in Ho_(2)Cu_(2)O_(5),and a negative one is observed in Yb_(2)Cu_(2)O_(5).The spontaneous dielectric anomaly at T_(N) is regarded as arising from the shifts in optical phonon frequencies,and the magnetoelectric coupling is used to interpret the magnetic field induced MD effect.Moreover,an H-T phase diagram is constructed for Ho_(2)Cu_(2)O_(5) and Yb_(2)Cu_(2)O_(5) based on the results of isothermal magnetic and dielectric hysteresis loops.

Magnetic properties and magnetic entropy changes of La1-xPrxFe11.5Si1.5 compounds with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5

Magnetic properties and magnetic entropy changes in LaFe11.5Si1.5 have been investigated by partially substituting Pr by La. It is found that La1-xPrxFe11.5Si1.5 compounds remain cubic NaZn13-type structures even when the Pr content is increased to 0.5, i.e. x = 0.5. Substitution of Pr for La leads to a reduction in both the crystal constant and the Curie temperature. A stepwise magnetic behaviour in the isothermal magnetization curves is observed, indicating that the characteristic of the itinerant electron metamagnetic （IEM） transition above Tc becomes more prominent with the Pr content increasing. As a result, the magnetic entropy change is remarkably enhanced from 23.0 to 29.4 J/kg·K as the field changes from 0 to 5T, with the value of x increasing from 0 to 0.5. It is more attractive that the magnetic entropy changes for all samples are shaped into high plateaus in a wide range of temperature, which is highly favourable for Ericsson-type magnetic refrigeration.

Unconventional metamagnetic phase transition in R_(2)In(R=Nd, Pr)with lambda-like specific heat and nonhysteresis

The phase transition of Nd_(2)In and Pr_(2)In has been studied and found to be between the first-order and second-order nature.Hardly any hysteresis nor obvious cell volume changes are presented.Concurrently the field-triggered metamagnetism is demonstrated with lambda-like peak on specific heat curve.For the field change of 7 T,giant magnetic entropy changes of 13.2 J kg^(-1)K^(-1) and 19.5 J kg^(-1)K^(-1) and adiabatic temperature changes of 6.5 K and 7.4 K have been achieved in Nd_(2)In and Pr_(2) In alloys respectively,which is partially contributed by strong magnetoelastic coupling represented by high saturation magnetostriction of~450 ppm.Such unique feature is proposed to be originated from the delocalized 5d electrons,as evidenced by the negative magnetoresistance caused by the phase transition.

Coexistence of positive and negative magnetic entropy changes in CeMn_2(Si_(1-x)Ge_x)_2 compounds

A series of CeMn2（Si1-xGex）2（x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8） compounds are prepared by the arc-melting method. All the samples primarily crystallize in the Th Cr2Si2-type structure. The temperature dependences of zero-field-cooled（ZFC） and FC magnetization measurements show a transition from antiferromagnetic（AFM） state to ferromagnetic（FM） state at room temperature with the increase of the Ge concentration. For x = 0.4, the sample exhibits two kinds of phase transitions with increasing temperature： from AFM to FM and from FM to paramagnetic（PM） at around TN-197 K and T C-300 K,respectively. The corresponding Arrott curves indicate that the AFM–FM transition is of first-order character and the FM–PM transition is of second-order character. Meanwhile, the coexistence of positive and negative magnetic entropy changes can be observed, which are corresponding to the AFM–FM and FM–PM transitions, respectively.

Magnetocaloric effect in ErCo2 compound

The ErCo2 compound is prepared by arc-melting and its entropy changes are calculated using Maxwell relation. Its entropy change reaches 38 J/（kg·K） and its refrigerant capacity achieves 291 J/kg at 0-5 T. The mean field approximation is used to calculate the magnetic entropy of ErCo2 compound. Results estimated by using the Maxwell relation deviate from mean field approximation calculations in ferrimagnetic state; however, the data obtained by the two ways are consistent in the vicinity of phase transition or at higher temperatures. This indicates that entropy changes are mainly derived from magnetic degree of freedom, and the lattice has almost no contribution to the entropy change in the vicinity of phase transition but its influence is obvious in the ferrimagnetic state below TC.

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in TbCo2-xFex compounds

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in TbCo2-xFex compounds are studied by DC magnetic measurement. With increasing content of Fe, the entropy changes decrease slightly, though the Curie temperature is tuned from 231 K （x = 0） to 303 K （x = 0.1）. Magnetic entropies of TbCo2 compound are calculated by using mean field approximation （MFA）. Results estimated by using Maxwell relation are consistent with that of MFA calculation. It is shown that the entropy changes are mainly derived from the magnetic entropy changes. The lattice has almost no contribution to the entropy change in the vicinity of phase transition.

Large reversible magnetocaloric effect in antiferromagnetic Er_(3)Si_(2)C_(2) compound

The magnetic properties,magnetic phase transition and magnetocaloric effects(MCE) of Er_(3)Si_(2)C_(2) compound were investigated based on theoretical calculations and experimental analysis.Based on the first principles calculations,the antiferromagnetic(AFM) ground state type in Er_(3)Si_(2)C_(2) compound was predicted and its electronic structure was investigated.The experimental results show that Ei_(3)Si_(2)C_(2) compound is an AFM compound with the Neel temperature(T_(N) of 7 K and undergoes a field-induced firstorder magnetic phase transition from AFM to ferromagnetic(FM) under magnetic fields exceeding 0.6 T at 2 K.The magnetic transition process of Er_(3)Si_(2)C_(2) compound was investigated and discussed.The values of the maximum magnetic entropy change(-ΔS_(M)^(max)) and the refrigeration capacity(RC) are 17 J/(kg·K)and 193 J/kg under changing magnetic fields of 0-5 T,respectively.As a potential cryogenic magnetic refrigerant,the Er_(3)Si_(2)C_(2) compound also provides an interesting research medium to study the magnetic phase transition process.

Large magnetocaloric effect in metamagnetic HoPdAl

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects （MCEs） of the HoPdA1 compounds with the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type and the orthorhombic TiNiSi-type structures are investigated. Both the compounds are found to be antiferromagnet with the Nrel tem- perature TN=12 and 10 K, respectively. A field-induced metamagnetic transition from antiferromagnetic （AFM） state to ferro- magnetic （FM） state is observed below TN. For the hexagonal HoPdA1, a small magnetic field can induce an FM-like state due to a weak AFM coupling, which leads to a high saturation magnetization and gives rise to a large MCE around TN. The maxi- mal value of magnetic entropy change （ASM） is -20.6 J/kg K with a refrigerant capacity （RC） value of 386 J/kg for a field change of 0-5 T. For the orthorhombic HoPdA1, the critical field required for metamagnetic transition is estimated to be about 1.5 T, showing a strong AFM coupling. However, the maximal ASM value is still -13.7 J/kg K around TN for a field change of 0-5 T. The large reversible ASM and considerable RC suggest that HoPdA1 may be an appropriate candidate for magnetic re- frigerant in a low temperature range.

Magnetic properties of cobalt-based oxypnictide SmCoAsO

The magnetic properties of cobalt-based oxypnictides SmCoAsO are investigated by measuring magnetization,magnetoresistance and specific heat.The compound undergoes a ferromagnetic(FM) transition around Tc of 80 K,and a ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic(AFM) transition below TN1 of about 45 K,and finally an AFM order of Sm ion at TN2 of 5.6 K.The weak FM order should originate from the itinerant 3d electrons of Co ions in the CoAs layers.We propose that the magnetic structure should be A-type AFM,which means that the FM order remains within the CoAs layer and the magnetic coupling between the CoAs layers becomes AFM below TN1 of 45 K.The AFM coupling between the CoAs layers should be very weak.A magnetic field μ0H of about 2 T may cause an AFM-FM metamagnetic transition.A rich magnetic phase diagram is established and the interplay between the 3d electrons of Co ions and 4f electrons of Sm ions is discussed.

Influence of bismuth on magnetism and magnetocaloric properties of LaFe_(11.6)Si_(1.4) intermetallic compound

Crystal structure, magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects （MCE） of La1-xBixFe1 1.4Si1.6 （x=0.0 and 0.1） compounds were investigated by X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. The La1-xBixFe11.4Si1.6 compounds presented a cubic NaZnx3 type structure. First, the magnetization behavior and the magnetic transition were analyzed in terms of Landau theory. Then, Bi substitution for La in La1-xBixFe11.4Si1.6 compounds led to a decrease in magnetic entropy change （-△SM^max） but an increase in Curie temperature （Tc） significantly. The significant increase of Tc by Bi substitution from 202.5 to 256 K for x=0.0 and x=0.1 respectively was attributed to an increase in the Fe-Fe exchange interactions. Moreover, magnetocaloric effect was calculated in terms of isothermal magnetic entropy change. The maximum values of （-△SM^max ） of La1-xBixFe11.4Si1.6 for x=-0.0 and 0.1 compounds were found to be, respectively, 22.56 and 4.36 J/（kg.K） under an applied magnetic field change of 5 T. For the same applied magnetic field （μ0H=5 T）, the relative cooling power （RCP） values were found to vary between 487 and 296 J/kg.

Experimental isothermal section phase diagram of Ho-Fe-In at 773 K and magnetic properties of Ho_(12)Fe_(2.08)In_(2.92) alloy

The isothermal section of the Ho-Fe-In system at 773 K has been constructed by X-ray powder diffraction.One known structure ternary compound Er_(12)Fe_(2) In_(3)-type Ho_(12)Fe_(2) In_(3) has been confirmed.At the same time,solid solutions are not detected in Ho-Fe-In system at 773 K.The magnetic transition and magnetocaloric effect of Ho_(12)Fe_(2.08)In_(2.92) alloy with Er_(12)Fe_(2) In_(3)-type structure were investigated by magnetic susceptibility and isothermal magnetization measurements.One normal antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition and another abnormal one are discovered at 18 and 76 K in ground state,respectively.Owing to a first-order field-induced metamagnetic transition(antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic) at/below the Neel temperature of 18 K),the negative entropy changes are observed at corresponding temperature.There is only a second-order ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition near Curie temperature(TC),the maximum entropy change(Δ_(Smax)) values are-6.14 J·kg^(-1)·K^(-1) at 3 K and 7.88 J·kg^(-1)·K^(-1) at 28 K in a field range of 0-7 T.The reversible relative cooling power corresponding to negative entropy change can reach about 600 J·kg^(-1) in an wide operating temperature region Δ_(Tcycl)=74 K from 16 to90 K,which suggests that Ho_(12)Fe_(2.08)In_(2.92) could be a potential material for magnetic refrigeration in the corresponding temperature range.

High-pressure scheelite-type polymorph of SmCrO_4: synthesis, structural characterization and magnetic properties

The new scheelite form of SmCrO4 oxide was obtained by heating the zircon-type SmCrO4 oxide at 4 GPa and 803 K. X-ray diffraction revealed that this scheelite SmCrO4 phase crystallized with tetragonal symmetry, S.G. I41/a and lattice parameters: a=0.50776(3) nm and c=1.15606(2) nm. This structural phase transition from zircon to scheelite involved a decreasing of around 10% in the unit cell volume. Although the Cr-O and Sm-O distances did not change very much in both zircon and scheelite polymorphs, the changes occurred in the bond angles were remarkable that appear to support the proposed reconstructive model to explain this structural zircon-scheelite phase transition. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements revealed that the scheelite SmCrO4 oxide behaved an antiferromagnetic material, where the Sm3+ and Cr5+ were simultaneously ordered. The estimated Néel temperature, TN, was 16 K and the critical field at 12 K associated with the metamagnetic transition was 3.2 T.

Effect of a magnetic field on magnetic entropy change in LaFe_(11.7)Si_(1.3) compound

The magnetocaloric effect of LaFe11.7Si1.3 compound was investigated under an external magnetic field up to 9 T.The magnetization changed drastically at the Curie temperature TC under different fields and TC increased with the applied fields.The magnetic entropy change ｜？SM｜ vs temperature peak consisted of a spike and a plateau.The spike was a spurious result,while the plateau part resulted from the field-induced itinerant-electron metamagnetic（IEM） transition above TC,which went up with magnetic fields increasing.The width of the magnetic entropy change increased with magnetic fields at a rate of dL？S /dT^4 K/T.