Effect of light and heavy rare earth mixing on the properties of Nd1−xGdxCo2. (11th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pandya, Swati; Sharath Chandra, L S; Ganesan, V
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 51:Number 50(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-10-11
• Subjects: magneto caloric -- resistivity -- entropy -- heat capacity; Physics -- Periodicals; 530
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6463/aae46d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3727

Abstract

Abstract: We report here on the resistivity ( ρ ) and heat capacity (Cp) on Nd1− x Gd x Co2 (with 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) down to 2 K and up to 14 T. Distinct changes were observed in all measured properties across the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition along with the cubic to tetragonal transition ( T c = 100 K for x = 0 and T c = 400 K for x = 1), and across the spin reorientation transition along with the tetragonal to orthorhombic transition ( T sr = 42 K x = 1, and T sr = 70 K for x = 0.8). Both the transitions are associated with a significant change in entropy due to the coupling of the magnetic and structural transitions. The external magnetic field causes both the transitions to occur at higher temperatures, leading to large magneto caloric as well as large magneto resistance effects. Hence, Gd substitution in the site of Nd hints at the functionality of these doped materials near room temperature. However, near a concentration of 0.4 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.5, an anomalous behavior of the tetragonal to orthorhombic transition for the externally applied magnetic field is observed.