Novel Easy-Axis Switching through Metamagnetism in CeSb${}_2$

Abstract

A novel magnetic field-induced switching of the magnetization easy axis has been discovered in the layered compound CeSb${}_2$, which crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure with nearly identical lattice constants along the a- and b-axes, giving it a tetragonal-like appearance. When a magnetic field is applied along an orthorhombic in-plane axis at 4.2 K, magnetization increases abruptly around 34 T, followed by a hysteresis loop upon decreasing the field. Subsequent measurements reveal a significantly enhanced magnetization, indicative of a switch of the magnetization easy axis. Conversely, the other orthorhombic in-plane axis becomes the magnetization hard axis. Surprisingly, the easy axis is switchable by changing the field direction to the other orthorhombic in-plane axis. Moreover, this memory effect is stable up to room temperature. Polarized light microscope images have visually revealed domain formation of the as-cast samples and domain rearrangement by magnetic fields. This intriguing axis-conversion phenomenon is a novel magnetic shape memory effect for heat cycles up to room temperature. It is attributed to the specific in-plane Ce-pantograph networks in CeSb${}_2$.

6 pages, 4 figures, including supplemental material. To be published in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn

References in corpus (9)

• Extreme magnetic field-boosted superconductivity
• Metamagnetic Transition in Heavy Fermion Superconductor UTe2
• Heavy fermions in high magnetic field
• Enhancement and Discontinuity of Effective Mass through the First-Order Metamagnetic Transition in UTe${}_2$
• Phase diagram of CeSb${}_2$ from magnetostriction and magnetization measurements: Evidence for ferrimagnetic and antiferromagnetic states
• Different metamagnetism between paramagnetic Ce and Yb isomorphs
• Neutron scattering study of commensurate magnetic ordering in single crystal CeSb${}_2$
• High-Field Magnetization and Magnetic Phase Diagram of Metamagnetic Shape Memory Alloys Ni50-xCoxMn31.5Ga18.5 (x = 9 and 9.7)
• Magnetic field effect on the chiral magnetism of noncentrosymmetric UPtGe: experiment and theory

Cited by in corpus (2)

• Topological Hall Effect in PrSb${}_2$
• Growth-Controlled Twinning and Magnetic Anisotropy in CeSb${}_2$