Exchange Bias in MultiferroicRFe2O4(R=Y, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and In)

Abstract

An exchange bias (EB) behavior has been observed for multiferroic R Fe 2 O 4 ( R =Y, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and In). The materials with small R 3+ ions ( R =Tm, Yb, Lu, and In) exhibit large EB fields (\({\gtrsim}1\) kOe) below ∼100–150 K. This property is rooted in a magnetically glassy state, arising from the competition between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic domain interactions. In addition, the EB field tends to be more enhanced for smaller R 3+ ions. Hence, the EB is controlled by the substitution at the R -site in this series.