Magnetisation studies of phase co-existence in Gd1 − xCaxBaCo2O5.5

Magnetic properties of hole doped, oxygen deficient double perovskite compounds, Gd1 − xCaxBaCo2O5.5, have been investigated. Ferromagnetic transition temperatures increase and the anti-ferromagnetic transition temperatures decrease with Ca substitution leading to stabilisation of ferromagnetisim for x ≥ 0.05. A detailed study of the ferromagnetic phase indicates the presence of double hysterisis loops for Ca fractions, 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.2 in the 50–200 K temperature range, suggestive of the co-existence of two ferromagnetic phases with different co-ercivities. Based on the magnetisation and transport measurements a phase diagram is proposed for Ca doped GdBaCo2O5.5.

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► The series Gd1 − xCaxBaCo2O5.5 was synthesised by solid state reaction.
► Magnetisation studies were carried out in the 4–300 K temperature range in magnetic fields upto 16 Tesla.
► Results were used to formulate the T versus Ca fraction, phase diagram.
► Evidence for Magnet–electronic phase separation is shown for the first time in the compound.