Interesting thermomagnetic history effects in the antiferromagnetic state of SmMn₂Ge₂

Abstract

We present results of magnetization measurements showing that the magnetic response of the antiferromagnetic state of SmMn₂Ge₂ depends on the path used in the field(H)-temperature(T) phase space to reach this state. Distinct signature of metastablity is observed in this antiferromagnetic state when obtained via field-cooling/field-warming paths. The isothermal M-H loops show lack of end-point memory, reminiscent of that seen in metastable vortex states near the field-induced first order phase transition in various type-II superconductors.