Anomalous magnetization behavior in Ce(Fe,Si)2

TL;DR

This paper investigates how silicon doping affects the magnetization properties of CeFe2, revealing stabilized antiferromagnetic states, multi-step magnetization, and history-dependent effects indicative of martensitic transitions.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Si doping induces and stabilizes complex magnetic behaviors and phase transitions in CeFe2, with controllable magnetization steps via measurement protocols.

Findings

Si stabilizes the dynamic antiferromagnetic state

Presence of multi-step magnetization behavior

History dependence and relaxation effects observed

Abstract

We report the effect of Si doping on the magnetization behavior of CeFe2. It is found that Si stabilizes the dynamic antiferromagnetic state of CeFe2. Multi-step magnetization behavior, unusual relaxation effect, thermal and magnetic history dependence, which are signatures of martensitic scenario, are found to be present in this system. We also show that one can induce the magnetization steps with the help of appropriate measurement protocol. Detailed magnetization relaxation studies have been carried out to understand the dynamics of magnetic phase transition.