Low temperature cluster glass behavior in Nd 5 Ge 3

Various experimental evidence obtained from dc and ac magnetization measurements indicates that Nd(5)Ge(3) undergoes a spin glass transition from a high temperature antiferromagnetic state. Below the Néel temperature of 49 K, it shows distinct properties that characterize a cluster glass state, thereby indicating that it is an example of a reentrant spin glass system. Dynamical behavior of the magnetic susceptibility and the magnetic relaxation clearly give evidence of frustration in the material. Geometric frustration arising from the triangular arrangement of Nd atoms seems to be the main reason behind the spin glass state. A field-induced structural distortion accompanying the Néel transition may also be responsible for the frustration and the spin glass state.