Devitrification of the low temperature magnetic-glass state in Gd₅Ge₄

Abstract

The first-order antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition in Gd₅Ge₄ becomes arrested at low temperatures in a certain range of applied magnetic fields. This effect gives rise to a low temperature magnetic-glass state in Gd₅Ge₄. Here we report results of dc magnetization measurements investigating the static and dynamic magnetic properties of this low temperature magnetic-glass state. The process of devitrification (or de-arrest) of this magnetic glass is studied by varying both magnetic field and temperature. This devitrification process has quite distinct and separate signatures compared to the process of the magnetic-glass formation. Furthermore, the results of our experimental study support the recently introduced phenomenological idea of correlation between the supercooling of the antiferromagnetic phase and the kinetic arrest of the antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition.