First order magneto-structural transition in functional magnetic materials: phase-coexistence and metastability

Abstract

First order magneto-structural transition plays an important role in the functionality of various magnetic materials of current interest like manganese oxide systems showing colossal magnetoresistance, Gd₅(Ge, Si)₄ alloys showing giant magnetocaloric effects and magnetic shape memory alloys. The key features of this magneto-structural transition are phase-coexistence and metastability. This generality is highlighted with experimental results obtained in a particular class of materials. A generalized framework of disorder influenced first order phase transition is introduced to understand the interesting experimental results which have some bearing on the functionality of the concerned materials.