The magnetic, electronic and optical properties of HoRhGe

Magnetoresistance and magnetocaloric properties of polycrystalline HoRhGe\nhave been studied. This compound orders antiferromagnetically with a Neel\ntemperature (TN) of 5.5 K and undergoes a first order metamagnetic transition\nat 2 K. It shows a large negative magnetoresistance of 25% at TN, for a field\nof 50 kOe. However, at 2 K and in lower fields, the magnetoresistance is found\nto be positive with a magnitude of about 12%, which is attributed to the first\norder metamagnetic transition. The compound also shows large magnetocaloric\neffect near its Neel temperature. Field dependence of magnetic entropy change\nalso reflects the change in the nature of magnetic transition as the field is\nincreased. The value of magnetic entropy change (-{\\Delta}SM) is found to be\n11.1 J/kg K for a field change of 50 kOe. Field dependence of magnetoresistance\nand magnetocaloric effect clearly shows the change in the order of the\nmetamagnetic transition with increase in field.\n