Two-dimensional antiferromagnetic perturbation and enhanced ferroelectricity in h-Yb1−xHoxMnO3

The Low-temperature magnetic and electric properties of polycrystalline hexagonal rare-earth manganite h-Yb1−xHoxMnO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6, Δx = 0.2) were studied. The two-dimensional antiferromagnetic (AFM) perturbation along with the second AFM ordering have been observed, Néel temperature TN is found to be decreased by the Ho doping. The substitution of Yb by Ho atoms have a great influence on the electric properties, and the low-doping concentration is more favorable for the enhancement of electrical polarization which is sharply improved from 14.6 µC/m2 in YbMnO3 (x = 0) to 131.4 µC/m2 in Yb0.8Ho0.2MnO3 (x = 0.2).