Abstract
The complex polar Kerr effect and the effect of birefringence in PrFeO3 are reported between 2 and 5.6 eV. It is shown that the birefringence observed in transmission has its origin in the electronic transitions involving 3d levels of Fe3+ which are situated in the near-ultraviolet spectral range. The low-energy Kerr ellipticity and the associated Faraday rotation in PrFeO3 are of opposite sign compared to the other orthoferrites studied so far. This situation is analogous to that observed in Pr3+ and Nd3+ substituted iron garnets. It is concluded that the mechanism responsible for the anomalous Faraday rotation in Pr3+ and Nd3+ iron garnets does not require the presence of tetrahedral iron ions.
Published Version
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