Emergence of long-range magnetic order from spin-glass state by tuning electron density in a stoichiometric Ga-based quasicrystal approximant

This study reports the first observation of ferromagnetic (FM) order in the non-Au-based approximant crystals (ACs) using a novel approach whereby a total electron-per-atom (e/a) ratio of the spin-glass Ga50Pd36Gd14 1/1 AC is lowered by simultaneously substituting certain ratios of a tri-valent Ga and a zero-valent Pd by a mono-valent Au. The emergence of FM order by this method was confirmed via magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, and specific heat measurements. The findings of this study open up vast opportunities in developing long-range magnetic orders from stoichiometric ACs, quasicrystals, and even other RKKY compounds with spin-glass ground state.