Sharp magnetization step across the ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition in doped-CeFe$_2$ alloys

TL;DR

This paper reports a very sharp magnetization step during the ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition in doped-CeFe$_2$ alloys at low temperatures, suggesting a disorder-influenced first-order phase transition.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of a sharp magnetization step in doped-CeFe$_2$ alloys below 5K, linking it to similar phenomena in manganites and Gd$_5$Ge$_4$, and proposing it as a generalized feature of disorder-influenced first-order transitions.

Findings

Sharp magnetization step observed below 5K

Transition becomes smooth above 5K

Similar behavior found in manganites and Gd$_5$Ge$_4$

Abstract

Very sharp magnetization step is observed across the field induced antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition in various doped-CeFe$_2$ alloys, when the measurement is performed below 5K. In the higher temperature regime (T$>$5K) this transition is quite smooth in nature. Comparing with the recently observed similar behaviour in manganites showing colossal magnetoresistance and magnetocaloric material Gd$_5$Ge$_4$ we argue that such magnetization step is a generalized feature of a disorder influenced first order phase transition.