Investigations on magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the intermetallic compound TbAgAl

Abstract

Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the intermetallic compound TbAgAl have been investigated. Temperature dependence of magnetization data revealed that TbAgAl exhibits magnetic ordering at 59 K and possesses competing ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic interactions, which leads to the formation of Griffiths-like phase. The field dependence of magnetization data shows the existence of a metamagnetic-like transition at a critical field of 10 kOe. Unusually potent relaxation effects are seen in the time dependence of magnetization data in the ordered phase. The presence of spin-glass-like state is found to affect magnetocaloric properties of this compound.