Magnetic phase separation and strong AFM nature of hexagonal Gd$_5$Sb$_3$

Abstract

We report on the combined results of structural, magnetic, transport and calorimetric properties of Mn$_5$Si$_3$-type hexagonal Gd$_5$Sb$_3$. With decreasing temperature, it exhibits a ferromagnetic-like transition at 265 K, N\'{e}el transition at 95.5 K and a spin-orientation transition at 62 K. The system is found to be in AFM state down to 2 K in a field of 70 kOe. Magnetic phase coexistence is not noticeable despite large positive Curie-Weiss temperature. Instead low-temperature AFM and high-temperature FM-like phases are separated in large temperature. Temperature-magnetic field ($H$-$T$) phase diagram reveals field-driven complex magnetic phases. Within the AFM phase, the system is observed to undergo field-driven spin-orientation transitions. Field-induced tricritical and quantum critical points appear to be absent due to strong AFM nature and by the intervention of FM-like state between PM and AFM states. Electrical resistivity along with large Sommerfeld parameter suggests metallic nature.