Oscillating magnetoresistance due to fragile spin structure in metallic GdPd$_3$

TL;DR

This paper investigates the unique oscillating magnetoresistance in GdPd$_3$, revealing a fragile magnetic structure that causes MR oscillations, with potential for field-sensitive device applications and tunability through chemical modifications.

Contribution

It reports the first observation of MR oscillations in GdPd$_3$ and links these to its highly fragile magnetic structure, highlighting its potential for applications and tunability.

Findings

GdPd$_3$ exhibits oscillating MR between positive and negative values.

Magnetic structure in GdPd$_3$ is highly fragile and sensitive to magnetic fields.

MR oscillations could be enhanced or manipulated via chemical substitutions.

Abstract

Studies on the phenomenon of magnetoresistance (MR) have produced intriguing and application-oriented outcomes for decades--colossal MR, giant MR and recently discovered extremely large MR of millions of percents in semimetals can be taken as examples. We report here the investigation of oscillating MR in a cubic intermetallic compound GdPd$_3$, which is the only compound that exhibits MR oscillations between positive and negative values. Our study shows that a very strong correlation between magnetic, electrical and magnetotransport properties is present in this compound. The magnetic structure in GdPd$_3$ is highly fragile since applied magnetic fields of moderate strength significantly alter the spin arrangement within the system--a behavior that manifests itself in the oscillating MR. Intriguing magnetotransport characteristics of GdPd$_3$ are appealing for field-sensitive device applications, especially if the MR oscillation could materialize at higher temperature by manipulating the magnetic interaction through perturbations caused by chemical substitutions.