Unconventional Magnetic and Magneto-transport Properties in a Canted Antiferromagnet Fe3SnSb

Canted antiferromagnets have attracted considerable research interest due to their distinctive physical characteristics. However, suitable material platforms for such investigations remain limited. In this study, we present the exceptional magnetic and magneto-transport properties of Fe₃SnSb polycrystals synthesized via a two-step solid-state reaction process. A comprehensive investigation into the magnetic properties and specific heat of Fe₃SnSb polycrystals has determined that the compound possesses a Néel temperature of 156 K. Furthermore, we have identified the coexistence of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism in Fe₃SnSb below 50 K, alongside the relatively rare phenomenon of canted antiferromagnetism, which is proved by a nonsaturating nonlinear increase in magnetization with increasing magnetic field. Electrical transport measurements on Fe₃SnSb reveal metallic behavior, and the material demonstrates a pronounced negative magnetoresistance across the entire temperature range examined, peaking at 14.1%, surpassing the values observed in most known antiferromagnetic materials. The discovery of Fe₃SnSb as a canted antiferromagnetic material expands the family of such materials and paves the way for extensive future research into interesting physical phenomena and the potential development of innovative device applications.