First-order nature of the spin-reorientation phase transition in SmCrO3

Bipolar magnetic switching and large exchange-bias in Fe-substituted SmCrO3

“…Further reduction in temperature, results in negative magnetization due to the dominating moments from Fe 3+ -Cr 3+ interactions over Cr 3+ -Cr 3+ interaction until the temperature reaches T SR at 64 K as depicted in figure 4(c). The literatures suggest that the asymmetric interactions among Sm 3+ and canted Cr 3+ flips the Cr 3+ moments to the other direction at T SR [4,18]. This again influences the direction of Fe 3+ -Cr 3+ moments, where the net magnetization follows the opposite trend crossing over second compensation temperature at T COMP2 ∼ 36 K as depicted in figure 4(d) [31].…”

“…The strong bifurcation observed between the ZFC and FCC curves also signifies the presence of competing AFM and WFM components below T N [30]. Also, the hysteresis behavior between FCC and FCW curves signify the first order nature of the spin-reorientation transition [18]. The observed hysteresis could have a strong correlation to the change in magnetic phase transition between FCC and FCW cycles.…”

“…On the other hand, the coexistence of Γ 4 and Γ 1 phase below T SR is also reported in SmCrO 3 along with the existence of a magnetic glassy state [6]. This feature is attributed to the discrete flipping of Cr 3+ ions from high temperature Γ 4 to low temperature Γ 1 configuration, which is first order in nature [6,18].…”

“…During FCC, the system is subjected to disordered paramagnetic to ordered Γ 4 phase transition which shows comparatively higher magnetization. Whereas, during the FCW cycle, the system is transforming from ordered Γ 2 phase to ordered Γ 4 phase and shows relatively lower magnetization [18].…”