Interplay between charge localization and magnetic ordering in amorphous GdxSi1−x

Abstract A new theoretical model and its experimental verification are presented, describing the anomalous transport and magnetic properties of amorphous gadolinium silicon. Our explanation reported here presumes high disorder of the system; this leads to a redistribution of electron density, causing regions with high electron concentration (drops) to appear. The magnetic ordering is more favourable in these drops than in the volume. To verify the true magnetic state of the drop (AFM or FM) the “local” experimental method, electron spin resonance, was used, together with transport measurements. Direct experimental observation of local ferromagnetic ordering in drops is reported.