Metastable magnetic response across the antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition in Gd₅Ge₄

Results of isothermal magnetization and magnetic relaxation measurements are presented probing the nature of the magnetic-field-induced magnetostructural transition in the intermetallic compound Gd₅Ge₄. This transition shows the characteristics of a disorder-influenced first order transition including distinct metastable behavior. Below approximately 21 K, the transition from the magnetic-field-induced ferromagnetic state back to the antiferromagnetic state shows additional interesting features. Similarities with other classes of magnetic systems exhibiting magnetostructural transitions are pointed out.