Magnetic glassy state in combination with ferromagnetism in Fe_0.05(SnTe)_0.97Sb_0.03 bulk alloy

Abstract

In this study on Fe0.05(SnTe)0.97Sb0.03 bulk alloy, we found signatures of presence of both magnetic glassy state and ferromagnetism. The bulk alloy is prepared by modified solid state technique and the sample is characterized for its structural, electrical and magnetic properties. Electrical resistivity plot shows semiconducting nature of the sample, however below 25 K, a sudden increase in the electrical resistivity value is observed. The transport mechanism is explained on the basis of small polaron hopping (SPH) model and variable range hopping (VRH) model. A large bifurcation observed between zero-field cooled and field-cooled magnetization at low temperature hints towards existence of a magnetic glassy state. M-H curve exhibits hysteresis behaviour for the measurements carried out at 10, 100 and 300 K. However, absence of saturation of the curves at 10 and 100 K suggests co-existence of ferromagnetic and glassy state. Presence of magnetic glassy state can also be confirmed from the Arrott plot and AC Susceptibility measurement. The susceptibility curves are found to undergo relatively small shift of peaks with frequency and theoretical fitting of the data supports presence of a cluster-glass state.