Abstract:
The Y-doped hexagonal perovskites ErMnO3 were synthesized and systematically investigated by Xray diffraction, magnetometry and neutron powder diffraction, to elaborate the effect of the magnetic rareearth ions on the magnetic Mn3+ sublattice as well as the magnetization property at low temperature. The results of both Xray and neutron diffraction show that the crystal structure and magnetic structure are almost unaffected by Y3+ doping and maintain the undoped structure, implying a weak interaction between Er3+ and Mn3+. Meanwhile, an anisotropic thermal expansion behavior is disclosed for this hexagonal system, with a dilates while c contracts with the increase of temperature. The neutron diffraction data confirm that the ordering temperature is approximately 79 K for Er0.4Y0.6MnO3 sample below which Mn3+ sublattice order adopts a Γ2(P63c′m′) or Γ4(P63′c′m) ground state, identical to Er0.8Y0.2MnO3. The magnetometry measurements show that the spin of Er3+ is ordered and coupled with Mn3+ sublattice at low temperature, and the magnetization is weakened by the Y3+ doping. In conclusion, the result provides a deep insight into the magnetism of hexagonal ErMnO3 system, which offers a guidance for the potential application of this intriguing system.