Signatures of phase separation across the disorder broadened first order ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition in doped-CeFe2 alloys

Experimental evidences of phase coexistence and metastability are presented over a substantial field-temperature regime across the ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition in CeFe2 based alloys. The idea of phase separation due to the influence of quenched disorder on a first order transition is used to interpret the results. Certain thermomagnetic history effects raise additional questions concerning the kinetics of such phase transitions.