Emergence of a hidden magnetic phase in LaFe11.8Si1.2 investigated by inelastic neutron scattering as a function of magnetic field and temperature

The NaZn13 type itinerant magnet LaFe13−xSix has seen considerable interest due to its unique combination of large magnetocaloric effect and low hysteresis. Here, this alloy with a combination of magnetometry, bespoke microcalorimetry, and inelastic neutron scattering is investigated. Inelastic neutron scattering reveals the presence of broad quasielastic scattering that persists across the magnetic transition, which is attributed to spin fluctuations. In addition, a quasielastic peak is observed at Q = 0.52 Å−1 for x = 1.2 that exists only in the paramagnetic state in proximity to the itinerant metamagnetic transition and argue that this indicates emergence of a hidden mag the netic phase that drives the first-order phase transition in this system.