Pressure-tuned spin switching in compensated GdCrO3 ferrimagnet

Abstract

The effect of hydrostatic pressure on antiferromagnetic ordering of Cr spins, magnetic compensation, and exotic spin switching in the single-crystal $\mathrm{GdCr}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ ferrimagnet is studied. The N\'eel temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{N}}=168\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ increases under pressure with the rate of 0.42 K/kbar, and the compensation temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{comp}}=144\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ at which the canted ferromagnetic moment of Cr spins and antiparallel polarized moment of Gd spins cancel each other also increases by 0.3 K/kbar. It was found that the spin switching temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{sw}}$, at which the ferromagnetic moment is reversed, noticeably increases under pressure, and the spin switching energy required for magnetization reversal reduces significantly because of a decrease in magnetic anisotropy. Due to this mechanism, the spin switching line, described in the $T$\ensuremath{-}$H$ diagram by a certain ratio of switching energy to canted ferromagnetic moment, is shifted under pressure towards higher temperatures. Thus, switching between two opposite spin configurations in the $\mathrm{GdCr}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ ferrimagnet can be controlled by both applied magnetic field and external pressure.