Magnetism and transport properties of HfFe6Ge6-type Er1-x GdxMn6Ge6 (x=0.2-0.9) compounds

Magnetic transitions and magnetotransport properties of polycrystalline Er^sub 1-x^Gd^sub x^Mn^sub 6^Ge^sub 6^ (x=0.2-0.9) compounds were studied. The magnetic and resistivity properties were analyzed in an applied magnetic field up to 5 T. It is found that Er^sub 1-x^Gd^sub x^Mn^sub 6^Ge^sub 6^ (x=0.2-0.9) compounds displays a transition from the antiferromagnetic state to the ferrimagnetic state for increasing Gd content. The Er^sub 1-x^Gd^sub x^Mn^sub 6^Ge^sub 6^ with x=0.2 and 0.5 compounds order antiferromagnetically at 430 and 432 K, respectively. The Er^sub 1-x^ Gd^sub x^Mn^sub 6^Ge^sub 6^ with x=0.8 and 0.9 compounds order ferrimagnetically at 462 and 471 K, respectively. The Er^sub 1-x^Gd^sub x^Mn^sub 6^Ge^sub 6^ compounds undergo the second transitions below 71 K. The magnetoresistance curves of the Er^sub 0.1^Gd^sub 0.9^Mn^sub 6^Ge^sub 6^ compound in a field of 5 T are presented and the magnetoresistance effects are related to the metamagnetic transitions.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]