Publication Date:
2015-04-02
Description:
We report on a systematic study of the single-crystal GdCrO 3 , which shows various novel magnetic features, such as temperature-induced magnetization reversal (TMR), temperature-induced magnetization jump (TMJ), spin reorientation, and giant magnetocaloric effect (MCE). In the field-cooled cooling process with modest magnetic field along the c axis, GdCrO 3 first shows a TMR at T c o m p ∼ 120 − 130 K and then an abrupt TMJ with a sign change of magnetization at T j u m p ∼ 52 − 120 K , and finally a spin reorientation at T S R ∼ 4 − 7 K . Interestingly, the remarkable TMJ behavior, which was not reported ever before, persists at higher fields up to 10 kOe even when TMR disappears. In addition, giant MCE with the maximum value of magnetic entropy change reaching ∼31.6 J/kg K for a field change of 44 kOe was also observed in GdCrO 3 single crystal, suggesting it could be a potential material for low- T magnetic refrigeration. A possible mechanism for these peculiar magnetic behaviors is discussed based on the various competing magnetic interactions between the 3 d electrons of Cr 3+ ions and 4 f electrons of Gd 3+ ions.
Print ISSN:
0021-8979
Electronic ISSN:
1089-7550
Topics:
Physics
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