Swift heavy ion irradiation effects on structural and magnetic characteristics of RFeO3 (R = Er, Ho and Y) crystals

Magnetic studies have been carried out on single crystals of RFeO3 (R = Er, Ho and Y) using vibrating sample magnetometer before and after swift heavy ion irradiation. Highly anisotropic character of the crystals is maintained even after irradiation. Irradiation causes decrease in magnetization and increase in Neel temperature of the crystals studied. The decrease in magnetization is attributed to amorphization caused by irradiation. High-resolution X-ray diffraction studies confirm amorphization on irradiation of the RFeO3 (R = Er, Ho and Y) crystals.