Metastable magnetization behavior in magnetocaloric R6Co1.67Si3 (R=Tb and Nd) compounds

TL;DR

This study investigates the complex magnetization and magnetocaloric properties of R6Co1.67Si3 compounds, revealing metastable behaviors, relaxation phenomena, and strong magnetostructural coupling near magnetic transition temperatures.

Contribution

It reports the first observation of metastable magnetization steps and giant relaxation effects in R6Co1.67Si3 compounds, highlighting their unique magnetic dynamics and magnetocaloric potential.

Findings

Observation of magnetic field and time induced steps.

Presence of giant relaxation and incubation time.

Large magnetocaloric effect near transition temperature.

Abstract

Magnetic field and time induced steps have been observed in the recently discovered ternary silicide R6Co1.67Si3. Huge relaxation steps are observed across different loops in the low temperature magnetization isotherms. Giant relaxation present in this system indicates the existence of incubation time to get the saturated moment at a certain field. Measurement protocol sensitive magnetization behavior observed in this system may arise from the strong magnetostructural coupling and/or magnetic frustration. Electrical resistivity and magnetoresistance also reflect the magnetic state of the compound. Magnetocaloric effect is found to be large at temperatures close to the magnetic transition temperature.