Magnetic properties of single-crystalline Pr2PdGe5.7Sn0.3

Abstract Single crystals of Pr2PdGe5.7Sn0.3 with the orthorhombic structure (Amm2 space group) have been grown by means of the Sn-flux method. The magnetic ordering temperature of Pr2PdGe5.7Sn0.3 was found to be 14 K. The temperature dependence of magnetization measured at 100 Oe drops abruptly at about 14 K when the applied magnetic field H is parallel to the c axis of the crystal (H//c), while it exhibits a λ–shape for H//a and H//b. A distinct hysteresis loop with a coercivity of 700 Oe and small net magnetization was observed when H//c, suggesting that Pr2PdGe5.7Sn0.3 may be in a complex antiferromagnetic state, but with a small net magnetic moment along c axis. A field-induced antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic (or ferrimagnetic) phase transition occurs at about 10 kOe for H//b.