Field-induced magnetization steps in intermetallic compounds and manganese oxides: The martensitic scenario

Field-induced magnetization jumps with similar characteristics are observed at low temperature for the intermetallic germanide Gd₅Ge₄ and the mixed-valent manganite Pr0.6Ca0.4Mn0.96Ga0.04O₃. We report that the field location---and even the existence---of these jumps depends critically on the magnetic field sweep rate used to record the data. It is proposed that, for both compounds, the martensitic character of their antiferromagnetic-to-ferromagnetic transitions is at the origin of the magnetization steps.