Symmetry adapted analysis of the magnetic and structural phase diagram of Bi1−xYxCrO3

Abstract

The effect of the substitution of yttrium for bismuth in BiCrO${}_{3}$ distorted perovskite has been investigated by means of magnetic measurements and symmetry mode analysis of neutron and x-ray powder diffraction data. Bi${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Y${}_{x}$CrO${}_{3}$ compounds were synthesized under high pressure and high temperature. Magnetic and structural phase diagrams were established by means of magnetization measurements and x-ray and neutron powder diffraction. We found that the monoclinic distorted structure is replaced by an orthoferrite-type orthorhombic structure at $x\ensuremath{\geqslant}0.05$. Symmetry adapted analysis was performed, indicating the importance of the LD3 distortion mode for the stabilization of the monoclinic structure and its antiferroelectric arrangement. The interplay between crystal distortion modes and magnetic properties is discussed.