Observation of magnetic-field-induced transitions in the DyNi^sub 3^Ga^sub 9^ intermetallic compound

In this work, field and temperature-dependent magnetization and specific heat measurements carried out on the DyNi3Ga9 intermetallic compound grown by Ga self-flux method are reported. This material crystallizes in a trigonal ErNi3Al9-type crystal structure with space group R32. In our previous work, we have shown that the DyNi3Ga9 compound, which orders antiferromagnetically at TN = 10.1 K presents strong crystalline electric field (CEF) effects. At H = 1 kOe, the low-T dependence of magnetic susceptibility (T < 30 K) presents a complex behavior. For increasing applied magnetic field, a trivial antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition is observed. However, M(H) curves measured at selected temperatures for the magnetic field applied in the ab-plane show multiples transitions suggesting possible spin reorientations. Besides, for the low field M(H) loops one can observe the presence of coercivity, remanence and saturation effects evidencing the complex magnetic ordered state of this compound. Finally, specific heat measurements as a function of applied magnetic field show the emergence of a second peak suggesting the presence of field-induced transitions for H > 15 kOe.