Observation of enhanced magnetic transition in Pbnm SmFeO3

Abstract

Abstract:Rare-earth orthoferrites RFeO3 materials have recently attracted a great attention for their intriguing technolgical potential. Among these materials, SmFeO3 holds great promise not only for the excellent physical properties (fast magnetic switching, spin reorientation and magnetization reversal) but also for its potential ferroelectric properties which have been recently under debate. Here we focus our attention on T-dependent Zero Field Cooled (ZFC) and Field Cooled (FC) magnetization properties of micrometer scale crystals of SmFeO3 obtained by annealing methods.We report the observation of an enhanced magnetic transition at the temperature of approximately 139 K. From literature bulk susceptibility measurements, is has been suggested that below the temperature of about 140 K, Sm 3+ moments begin to order antiparallel to the Fe-moments due to antiferromagnetic f-d exchange interactions. We attribute the observed transition to compensation effects induced by the appearance of long range ordering in Sm 3+ spins. The magnetic-nature of the observed transition is confirmed by additional temperature dependent XRD analysis which did not show structural changes of the samples in the same temperature range (from 298 K to 100 K). Due to residual small fractions of ferromagnetic -Fe from the sample-growth, possible interactions between the magnetic moment of -Fe and the SmFeO3 crystals at the compensation temperature can not be excluded and could be at the origin of the enhanced magnetic signal reported in this work. IntroductionRare-earth orthoferrites RFeO3 (R= rare-earth ion) materials have recently attracted a great attention for their intriguing physical properties, ideal for numerous technological applications, such as ultrafast photo-magnetic recording [1-4], inertia-driven spin switching [5], laser-induced ultrafast spin reorientation [6][7], magnetic biasing on P-E hysteresis loops [8], enhanced magnetoelectric interactions [9,10], multiferroics, ferroelectrics [11][12][13][14][15]. The family of RMO3 materials is generally characterized by a distorted perovskite Pbnm structure which exhibits a weak ferromagnetic behavior due to a small canting of the antiferromagnetic metal sub-lattices (M

Vacancy-induced interfacial ferromagnetic features in SmFeO3-filled graphitic carbon foam

“…6B and C), with a magnetization peak at approximately 150 K, which could be ascribed to a transition in the magnetic structure of the SmFeO 3 phase induced by the Sm magnetic moments (antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the two magnetic sublattices). 17,18 On the basis of the XRD measurements in Fig. 4, no contribution was detected from other iron oxide phases.…”

“…12,13 In addition to these important studies, recent reports have shown that creating direct interfaces between iron-based oxides and carbon materials can allow possible rehybridization effects with signicant benets not only for the control of sp 3 -rich characteristics of the carbon layers but also for applications in electrical-memory devices. [14][15][16][17][18] In this context, rare-earth orthoferrites RFeO 3 (R ¼ rare-earth ion) are a new class of materials with a distorted perovskite Pbnm structure which intrinsically exhibit canted ferromagnetism due to the presence of the 4f-electrons and 3d-electrons sublattices. 19 These materials have recently attracted signicant attention for their important application perspectives in magnetic, ferroelectric and multiferroic devices.…”

“…This property has been described as a magnetic phenomenon in which the easy axis of magnetization changes with another one under certain experimental conditions which are mostly related to the selected temperature and/or applied magnetic eld. 18 Interestingly, fabrication of monolayer carbon foam (MCFM)/SmFeO 3 interfaces has been recently demonstrated through a novel synthesis route involving high temperature fusion of Fe 3 C lled CNOs with Sm 2 O 3 lled CNOs and subsequent annealing. 17 In fact, up to now, two main methodologies have been reported for the creation of CFM/orthoferrite interfaces, these consist into (1) high temperature fusion of as grown lled CNOs 17 and (2) annealing of as produced metal-lled carbon foam materials with chosen oxides.…”

“…17 In fact, up to now, two main methodologies have been reported for the creation of CFM/orthoferrite interfaces, these consist into (1) high temperature fusion of as grown lled CNOs 17 and (2) annealing of as produced metal-lled carbon foam materials with chosen oxides. 18 In those studies, the formation of a SmFeO 3 phase was investigated with major focus on the intrinsic magnetic properties of the orthoferrite. However, the structural and magnetic aspects of the residual graphitic carbon layers in direct interfacial contact with the orthoferrite phase were not investigated.…”