Magnetic transitions and magnetocaloric effect of Gd₄Nd₁Si₂Ge₂

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the quaternary Gd₄Nd₁Si₂Ge₂ compound were investigated using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The compound crystallized into an orthorhombic structure in the temperature range 200–300 K. In zero field cooling, the compound undergoes a spin reorientation following a ferromagnetic-like transition at 276 K. The spin reorientation is hinted at by nonlinear changes of lattice parameters but is suppressed in a high magnetic field of 6 T. Magnetic measurements revealed a magnetocaloric effect with a high relative cooling power. It is suggested that Nd substitution for Gd enlarges magnetic anisotropy and induces a canted spin structure.