Novel features in a spin-ferromagnet alloy Nd_0.75Gd_0.25Rh₃B₂

Abstract

We report here on the discovery of novel features in a near-zero magnetization alloy, Nd_0.75Gd_0.25Rh₃B₂, which comprises two quasi-antiferromagnetic (or ferrimagnetic) transitions, and concomitantly repeated magnetic compensation feature, one after the other. The half-widths of the magnetization hysteresis loops associated with the (residual) remanent magnetization also has an oscillatory characteristic, with two local minima close to the two crossovers of the M = 0 axis in nominal zero field. We conjecture that the unusual observations arise from anisotropic hexagonal structure of the admixed compound, resulting in a quasi-one dimensional electronic structure, and due to the accentuated role of conduction electron polarization near the 'zero-magnetization' limit.