Magnetic and electrical properties of a Nd₅Ge₄ single crystal

Magnetic and electrical measurements have been carried out for Nd ₅Ge₄ single crystal. Nd₅Ge₄ possesses a ferromagnetic state between T_C = 53 K and T_t = 39 K in which the magnetic moments align to the a-axis. A large magnetic anisotropy between the a-axis and the a-plane was observed in this state. Below T_t, the magnetic susceptibility along the a-axis decreases rapidly with decreasing temperature; an antiferromagnetic or a ferrimagnetic state is stabilized. At 2.0 K, a ferromagnetic like magnetization curve is observed along the a-axis and a metamagnetic transition takes place at H_C = 30 kOe along the c-axis. Further, a relatively large magnetic field cooling (FC) effect for the magnetic susceptibility was observed in the all principal axes indicating the coexistence of a magnetic glass like state.