Anomalous low-field magnetoresistance in Fe3Ga4 single crystals
Abstract
Fe3Ga4 possesses a helical spin spiral with a complex competition between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic ground states. This competition generates multiple metamagnetic transitions that are governed by both the applied magnetic field and temperature. At intermediate temperatures between T1 (68 K) and T2 (360 K), the ferromagnetically aligned spins transition to an antiferromagnetic spin spiral. In this study, magnetoresistance (MR) measurements are performed on an aligned single crystal and compared to magnetization properties in order to gain insight into the unique alignment of the spins. The high-field MR is positive at low temperatures, indicating cyclotronic behavior, and negative at high temperatures from electron–magnon scattering. Of particular significance is a large anomalous positive MR at low fields, possibly due to emergent spin fluctuations, thus prompting further exploration of this multifaceted material.
Article Details
Journal Info
Applied Physics Letters
American Institute of Physics
Authors (9)
Michelle E. Jamer
Physics Department, United States Naval Academy 1 , Annapolis, Maryland 21402,
Gregory M. Stephen
Laboratory for Physical Sciences 2 , College Park, Maryland 20740,
Brandon Wilfong
Physics Department, United States Naval Academy 1 , Annapolis, Maryland 21402,
Radhika Barua
Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University 3 , Richmond, Virginia 23220,
Frank M. Abel
Steven P. Bennett
Materials Science and Technology Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 4 , Washington, District of Columbia 20375,
Joseph C. Prestigiacomo
Materials Science and Technology Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 4 , Washington, District of Columbia 20375,
Don Heiman
Dave Graf
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University 7 , Tallahassee, Florida 32306,