Transport properties of Gd1−xYxMn2Ge2

Abstract Temperature dependence of electrical resistivity, ρ , was measured for Gd 1− x Y x Mn 2 Ge 2 with 0≤ x ≤0.5 from 4.2 K to room temperature. For 0≤ x ≤0.3, a step was observed in the ρ – T curve, which is associated with a first-order magnetic transition from a high-temperature antiferromagnetic (AF) state to a low-temperature ferrimagnetic (Fi) state. On the other hand, the ρ – T curve of x =0.5 shows an inflection at low temperatures, which is an indication of a magnetic transition from a high-temperature antiferromagnetic state to a low-temperature canted ferrimagnetic (CF) state. Both a step and an inflection were observed in the ρ – T curve of x =0.4. These results have demonstrated that the compound undergoes successive AF–CF–Fi transitions in the cooling sequence, which was proposed by early magnetization measurements.