Ferromagnetic-like hysteresis and an exchange biasing effect in bulk spin-density-wave CrCoV alloys

The temperature and field dependence of the magnetization of the spin-density-wave (SDW) alloys (Cr + y% Co)(1-x)V-x (y = 3.2 and 6.5% Co, 0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 5% V) has been measured with a SQUID magnetometer over the temperature range, 2 less than or equal to T less than or equal to 400 K, in magnetic fields up to H = 5.5 T in the field cooled (FC) and zero-field cooled (ZFC) states. An exchange biasing effect is observed after field cooling in a strong magnetic field. In the alloys (Cr + 6.5% Co)(1-x)V-x (x greater than or equal to 1% V), ferromagnetic-like hysteresis is observed in the FC state but not in the ZFC state. These effects are caused by magnetic interaction between the moment on the Cc impurity atom with the SDW. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.