Manipulating magnetism and transport properties of EuCd2P2 with a low carrier concentration

Materials that exhibit strongly coupled magnetic order and electronic properties are crucial for both fundamental research and technological applications. However, finding a material that not only shows remarkable magnetoresistive responses but also has an easily tunable ground state remains a challenge. Here, we report successful manipulation of the magnetic and transport properties of EuCd₂P₂, which is transformed from an A-type antiferromagnet (TN=110.16em0exK) exhibiting colossal magnetoresistance into a ferromagnet (TC=470.16em0exK) with metallic behavior. The dramatic alteration results from a low hole concentration of 10¹⁹0.16em0excm^-3 induced by changing the growth conditions. Electronic structure and total energy calculations confirm the tunability of magnetism with a small carrier concentration for EuCd₂P₂. It is feasible to switch between the magnetic states by using field-effect to control the carrier density, thereby changing the magneto-electronic response. The controllable magnetism and electrical transport of EuCd₂P₂ make it a potential candidate for spintronics.