Title: Magnetism and charge density waves in RNiC$_2$ (R = Ce, Pr, Nd),
Abstract: We have compared the magnetic, transport, galvanomagnetic and specific heat
properties of CeNiC$_2$, PrNiC$_2$ and NdNiC$_2$ to study the interplay between
charge density waves and magnetism in these compounds. The negative
magnetoresistance in NdNiC$_2$ is discussed in terms of the partial destruction
of charge density waves and an irreversible phase transition stabilized by the
field induced ferromagnetic transformation is reported. For PrNiC$_2$ we
demonstrate that the magnetic field initially weakens the CDW state, due to the
Zeeman splitting of conduction bands. However, the Fermi surface nesting is
enhanced at a temperature related to the magnetic anomaly.