Ferrimagnetism and magnetic phase separation in Nd1−xYxMnO3 studied by magnetization and high frequency electron paramagnetic resonance

Ferrimagnetism and metamagnetic features tunable by composition are observed in the magnetic response of Nd1−xYxMnO3, for x=0.1–0.5. For all values of x in the series, the compound crystallizes in orthorhombic Pbnm space group similar to NdMnO3. Magnetization studies reveal a phase transition of the Mn-sublattice below TNMn≈80K for all compositions, which, decreases up on diluting the Nd-site with Yttrium. For x=0.35, ferrimagnetism is observed. At 5 K, metamagnetic transition is observed for all compositions x<0.4x<0.4. The evolution of magnetic ground states and appearance of ferrimagnetism in Nd1−xYxMnO3 can be accounted for by invoking the scenario of magnetic phase separation. The high frequency electron paramagnetic resonance measurements on x=0.4 sample, which is close to the critical composition for phase separation, revealed complex temperature dependent lineshapes clearly supporting the assumption of magnetic phase separation.