Nonzero Spontaneous Magnetic Moment along the b-Axis and the 2-Fold Spin Reorientation Transition in a Er_0.4Gd_0.6FeO₃ Single Crystal

Abstract

Single crystal Er0.4Gd0.6FeO3 (EGFO) was grown by optical floating-zone method. The magnetic properties at three crystallographic axes were investigated in detail. Two special magnetic characteristics were found in EGFO. One is that nonzero spontaneous magnetic moment along crystalline b-axis exists below ∼45 K. This phenomenon is unusual for most of rare-earth orthoferrites. Another one is that the special 2-fold spin reorientation transition was observed. Such a transition can be defined as Γ4 → Γ3 → Γ4, which is the result of the competitions of Er3+–Fe3+ and Gd3+–Fe3+ interactions with Fe3+–Fe3+ interaction at different temperature areas. In addition, the result of spin reorientation transition at different magnetic fields suggested that a magnetic field can modify the anisotropy interaction between rare-earth ions and Fe3+ ions. This work is meaningful for further studying the physical phenomenons in RFeO3 and their potential applications.

Zeolite Crystal Engineering

“…This virtual special issue also includes nonconventional methods of synthesizing nonzeolititc porous materials, such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and mixed metal oxides . Synthesis methods employing low quantities of solvent have shown promise for preparing materials with unique properties, whereas staged syntheses, when either a reagent or reaction condition is altered midsynthesis, can offer a unique route to control processes of crystallization .…”

“…This virtual special issue also includes nonconventional methods of synthesizing nonzeolititc porous materials, such as metal−organic (MOFs) 32 and mixed metal oxides. 33 Synthesis methods employing low quantities of solvent have shown promise for preparing materials with unique properties, 34 whereas staged syntheses, when either a reagent or reaction condition is altered midsynthesis, can offer a unique route to control processes of crystallization. 35 In this virtual special issue, there are also studies focusing on new methods of characterization, both ex-situ and in situ, to improve our understanding of crystallization processes and offer better diagnostic tools.…”