A comparative study of HoSn1.1Ge0.9 and DySn1.1Ge0.9 compounds using magnetic, magneto-thermal and magneto-transport measurements

Polycrystalline HoSn1.1Ge0.9 and DySn1.1Ge0.9 compounds have been studied by means of different experimental probes. Both the compounds are antiferromagnetic and show metamagnetic transition at low temperatures. HoSn1.1Ge0.9 shows a sign change in magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and magnetoresistance (MR) with field, which is attributed to the metamagnetic transition. DySn1.1Ge0.9 shows characteristics of a typical antiferromagnet, as evidenced by magnetization, MCE and MR data. 119Sn Mössbauer studies show hyperfine splitting at low temperatures, consistent with magnetization data. Thermoelectric power and resistivity measurements reveal metallic behavior in these compounds. Magnetic, magnetocaloric and the magnetoresistance data clearly show that the antiferromagnetic coupling in DySn1.1Ge0.9 is stronger than in HoSn1.1Ge0.9.