Non-trivial critical behavior at the magnetic transitions: A case study of Sm$_7$Pd$_3$

Abstract

We present a comprehensive analysis of the critical behavior of Sm$_7$Pd$_3$ in the vicinity of its second-order magnetoelastic transition at $T_ {\rm c} = 173$ K. The critical exponents (CEs) $\beta$ and $\gamma$, determined using both the standard convergence procedure and the average normalized slope (ANS) method, diverge at $T_{\rm c}$: a characteristic typically associated with first-order transitions. Notably, none of the established universality classes satisfactorily describe the critical behavior of Sm$_7$Pd$_3$, and we discuss the possible origins of this deviation in the context of the strong spin-lattice coupling intrinsic to the sample. We emphasize the importance of accurately selecting the critical temperature and magnetic field ranges to ensure robust critical behavior analysis and propose a quantitative approach to assess the reliability of the extracted CEs. Additionally, we demonstrate that in the ANS method, the critical exponents $\beta$ and $\gamma$ should be calculated separately using data for $T \leqslant T_{\rm c}$ and $T \geqslant T_{\rm c}$, respectively. Our findings underscore the need for a revised theoretical framework to accurately describe second-order magnetoelastic transitions.