Spin switching in room temperature spin reorientation transition process of Sm0.8Yb0.2FeO3 single crystal

Abstract

We report that the introduction of a certain proportion of Yb ions into SmFeO3 single crystal can modulate the reduction of the spin reorientation (SR) transition temperature down to the room temperature region. Simultaneously, it maintains the spin configuration change between Γ2 (Cy, Gz, Fx) and Γ4 (Gx, Ay, Fz) and raises the magnetization compensation temperature of the single crystal. Both Zero-Field-Cooling (ZFC) and Field-Cooled-Cooling (FCC) modes along the a-axis are present with two type-I spin switching effects, which can be effectively regulated by the applied magnetic field. Interestingly, the type-II spin switching effect is observable along the c-axis in the ZFC mode under lower magnetic fields during the SR transition process at room temperature, an interesting magnetization phenomenon that is suppressed when the magnetic field is greater than 38 Oe. This type of spin switching effect arises from a partial flip of the moments of Sm3+. Additionally, the sharp spin switching induced by the magnetic field is also observed along the a- and c-axes with the variation of the magnetization with the applied magnetic field (M-H). This work is valuable for providing an insight into the magnetic coupling and competition between the two sublattices in the RFeO3 system and for facilitating the practical application of relevant spin switching materials.