Magnetic and magnetotransport properties of Sn1−x−yCrxEuyTe crystals: The role of magnetic inhomogeneities

We present the studies of structural, electrical, and magnetic properties of bulk Sn1−x−yCrxEuyTe crystals with different chemical compositions varying in the range of 0.004 ≤ x ≤ 0.089 and 0.007 ≤ y ≤ 0.020. The structural characterization of our samples indicated the clustering of the Cr-ions into Cr–Te related clusters. Eu ions do not form clusters and are randomly distributed in the SnTe lattice. The magnetotransport studies show the presence of positive linear magnetoresistance with maximum amplitude of about 80% for all our samples. Positive magnetoresistance is a geometrical effect related to the presence of clusters in the SnTe lattice. The cluster-glass-like state at the temperature of about 130 K is observed for x ≤ 0.025. The cluster-glass-like state is due to the presence of Cr-rich clusters in the SnTe lattice. The ferromagnetic behavior with the Curie temperature of about 275 K is observed for the samples with x > 0.077 indicating the presence of Cr5Te8 clusters in the host material. Eu ions presence in our samples shows paramagnetic behavior.