Field-Tuning Mechanisms of Spin Switching and Spin Reorientation Transition in Praseodymium-Erbium Orthoferrite Single Crystals.

Field-tuning mechanisms of spin switching and spin reorientation (SR) transition were investigated in a series of high-quality single crystal samples of Pr x Er 1- x FeO 3 ( x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) prepared using the optical floating zone method. The single crystal quality, structure, and axis orientation were determined by room-temperature powder X-ray diffraction, back-reflection Laue X-ray diffraction, and Raman scattering at room temperature. Magnetic measurements indicate that the type and temperature region of SR transition are tuned by introducing different ratios of Pr 3+ doping ( x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5). The trigger temperatures of spin switching and magnetization compensation temperature of Pr x Er 1- x FeO 3 crystals can be adjusted by doping with different proportions of Pr 3+ . Furthermore, the trigger temperature of the two types of spin switching in Pr 0.3 Er 0.7 FeO 3 along the a -axis can be regulated by an external field. Meanwhile, the isothermal magnetic field-triggered spin switching effect is also observed along the a and c -axes of Pr 0.3 Er 0.7 FeO 3 . An in-depth understanding of the magnetic coupling and competition between the R 3+ and Fe 3+ magnetic sublattices, within the RFeO 3 system, has important implications for advancing the practical applications of the relevant spin switching materials.