Magnetisation and magnetoresistance of YMn6Sn6-xInx compounds (x=0.10, 0.18, 0.21, 0.38)

Polycrystalline samples of HfFe6Ge6-type YMn6Sn6-xInx compounds (0.10≤x≤0.38) have been studied by X-ray diffraction, high field magnetisation and magnetoresistance measurements. The low In content compounds order antiferromagnetically (TN=328, 321 and 309 K for x=0.10, 0.18 and 0.21, respectively) while YMn6Sn5.62In0.38 orders ferromagnetically (Tc=329 K) and undergoes a ferro- to antiferromagnetic transition on cooling (Tt=240 K). All compounds display metamagnetic behaviour at 10 K associated with giant magnetoresistance (ΔR/R∼-30% for x=0.10). The different magnetoresistance effects measured in the x=0.18 and 0.21 compound seems to be related to different textures suggesting a more pronounced magnetoresistance along the [001] direction. Results are discussed and compared with properties of isotypic series