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 PrErFeO ( = 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 doping ( = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5). The trigger temperatures of spin switching and magnetization compensation temperature of PrErFeO crystals can be adjusted by doping with different proportions of Pr. Furthermore, the trigger temperature of the two types of spin switching in PrErFeO along the -axis can be regulated by an external field. Meanwhile, the isothermal magnetic field-triggered spin switching effect is also observed along the and -axes of PrErFeO. An in-depth understanding of the magnetic coupling and competition between the R and Fe magnetic sublattices, within the RFeO system, has important implications for advancing the practical applications of the relevant spin switching materials.