Interesting magnetic properties observed in the 4f ferromagnet NdRu2

•Nature of magnetism in NdRu2 is contrary to expectation for rare earth based magnet.•Presence of spin fluctuations in the paramagnetic state of NdRu2.•Unusually high and non-linear forced magnetostriction.•Appreciable magnetocaloric effect and magnetoresistance well above Curie temperature.

We have investigated dc magnetization, magneto-transport and magnetostriction of C15 Laves phase 4f ferromagnetic compound NdRu2 as a function of temperature and applied magnetic field. We find that the magnetic properties of this compound can not be explained within a simple model based on localized magnetic moment even though Nd based compounds and alloys are usually considered as localized magnetic moment systems. Our experimental results on temperature dependence of magnetization, electrical resistivity and magnetoresistance suggest the existence of spin fluctuations in the paramagnetic state of NdRu2. This compound shows unusually high and non-linear forced magnetostriction. We conjecture the hybridization of Nd 4f states with valence electrons as one of the possibilities for explaining the experimental results.

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