Tuning of spin reorientation transition, spin switching and exchange bias behaviour in Sm_1−<i>x</i>Y_<i>x</i>FeO₃ (x = 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) single crystals

Abstract We grew single crystals of Sm 1− x Y x FeO 3 (x = 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) using an optical floating zone (OFZ) furnace. Highly pure single crystals of various compositions were oriented along the a , b and c axes using Laue diffractometer. Temperature-dependent magnetization data on Sm 1− x Y x FeO 3 (x = 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) crystals along different crystallographic axes confirmed spin reorientation transition. The spin reorientation temperatures ( T SR1 and T SR2 ) decrease with increasing yttrium doping concentration. Sm 0.7 Y 0.3 FeO 3 showed a spin reorientation transition from Γ 23 ( F xy ) - Γ 234 ( F xyz ) - Γ 4 ( F z ) in the temperature range 361 K - 382 K, while Γ 3 ( F y ) - Γ 32 ( F xy ) - Γ 2 ( F x ) in the range of 282 K- 312 K and Γ 2 ( F x ) - Γ 24 ( F xz )- Γ 4 ( F z ) in a range 181 K - 231 K were observed for Sm 0.5 Y 0.5 FeO 3 and Sm 0.3 Y 0.7 FeO 3 , respectively. Exchange bias behaviour was seen at 5 K in all samples, and the exchange bias field varied with Y concentration. All the samples exhibit field-induced spin switching in addition to metamagnetic transition that was observed in Sm 0.7 Y 0.3 FeO 3 .