Correlations among magnetic, magnetocaloric and magneto-transport properties in HoNiSi

Magnetic, magnetocaloric and magneto-transport properties of polycrystalline HoNiSi have been studied. The compound crystallizes in orthorhombic crystal structure and orders antiferromagnetically at TN=4.6 K. Magnetization isotherms show curvature at small fields, revealing a field induced metamagnetic transition. Magnetocalroic effect (MCE) has been estimated using magnetization data and is found to be 12.8 J/kg K for a field of 50 kOe. Application of field reduces the resistivity near TN, which results in a large negative MR. The maximum value of MR has been found to be -24% at 4 K for 50 kOe. Below 4 K, the compound shows positive MR with shape changing with field.